Tennis: winner of Shelton in the final, Alcaraz crowned at the Rolex Paris Masters for the first time

The Murcian won for the fourth time in five matches against the American and won his revenge. He was left with a defeat in the quarter-finals of the US Open (6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in 4h28). The 3rd player in the world confirms his return in great form at the end of the season, the Spaniard, recent winner of the Vienna tournament, miraculous in the 8th, where he saved two match points against Fritz, achieves a 9th consecutive victory. He will be the big favorite in Turin during the ATP Finals (November 15-22).

Quite irregular, especially in return, the Spaniard, very supported by the Nanterre public, suffered a little in a very pleasant start to the match and slightly in favor for the American outsider. Any regrets for Shelton? His four break points not materialized in the fourth game of the first set. Then his two other opportunities were poorly exploited in the eighth game. With a sumptuous forehand cushioned volley, the American also saved his skin on his serve in the seventh game, where Alcaraz obtained two break opportunities. Despite these upheavals, the servers held up. And it was who imposed his law on the wire (7-5), against a Shelton, nervous on the key points in the decisive game of the first act lasting 1 hour 05. Victim of a little relaxation, the Spaniard, under pressure in the face of the quality of the American's returns, gave up his serve in the fifth game weighed down in particular by two double faults. Shelton grabbing his first break on his 8th opportunity of the match. But the resilient Spaniard has struck again. Feverish on the forehand, the American was broken in the eighth game. Then cracked in the eleventh game, Alcaraz winning on his second match point.

The two men will meet again in a few days in Turin to compete in the Masters in the company of Zverev, Medvedev, Cobolli, Fils, Tiafoe and Jodar.