PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz defeated Ben Shelton 7–6 (5), 7–5 in Sunday’s Paris Masters final to win his second consecutive title and fifth of the season, according to Associated Press reporting published by Sportsnet.

The victory was the Spaniard’s 29th career title and followed his win in Vienna the previous Sunday. Alcaraz also won the Japan Open last month after returning from a right wrist injury in late August.

Alcaraz saved six break points in the opening set against Shelton. After losing serve in the second, he broke straight back, eventually sealing the match on his second championship point with a two-handed backhand winner down the line.

The second seed spread his arms in celebration at the indoor Plenitude Arena, smiling broadly and briefly appearing to cry.

His path through Paris had been less straightforward than his run in Vienna, where he did not drop a set. Alcaraz saved two match points against Taylor Fritz in Friday’s quarterfinal before advancing.

Sunday’s result gave Alcaraz four wins in five meetings with Shelton. Shelton had won their previous encounter, a U.S. Open quarterfinal two months earlier that ended at 3:33 a.m. He went on to reach that tournament’s final, losing to Alexander Zverev.

Shelton was pursuing his eighth career title and third Masters crown. He recently added Juan Carlos Ferrero to his coaching staff after Alcaraz’s split with his longtime coach last year.

The players exchanged congratulations on shots during Sunday’s final, and Alcaraz walked around the net to embrace Shelton after the match.

Sources