Carlos Alcaraz exacted his retribution merely two months after his return event culminated in a late-night thriller in New York against Ben Shelton.
With this performance, the Spanish player provided further proof that his return to the summit of men’s tennis is almost complete.
Following a four-month absence caused by a wrist issue, Alcaraz surpassed all forecasts by advancing to the US Open quarter-finals in September, where he ultimately fell to emerging American talent Shelton in a thrilling five-set contest.
Over the subsequent two months, Alcaraz has claimed three trophies, suffering only a single defeat across 17 encounters.
His win against world number four Shelton on Sunday secured the 23-year-old’s maiden title at the renowned Paris Masters 1000 event.
Furthermore, it proved that a completely healthy Alcaraz—who has now captured seven out of the nine ATP Masters 1000 titles—is primed to challenge for tennis’s biggest crowns once again in 2027.
After securing his 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 victory, Alcaraz remarked: “This is a goal I have pursued for a very long time. Some of the most difficult defeats of my career occurred at this venue.
“Competing against Ben today represented one of the most formidable hurdles in tennis at present. He is a fantastic champion, player, and individual, continuously elevating his game with each tournament. Going forward, playing him will become even more demanding.
“I am simply thrilled to have finally achieved this. This event holds a truly special place for me.”
