The win marks a significant breakthrough for the world number three, who had previously struggled to find his best form at the Paris tournament. Former champion Boris Becker was on hand to present the trophy to Alcaraz, who now boasts five tour-level titles this season. This achievement places him just behind Jannik Sinner, who leads the tour with six titles this year.
A Tactical Battle in the French Capital
The match was a tightly contested affair from the outset, with both players finding it difficult to establish dominance on serve. Early in the opening set, Alcaraz faced significant pressure at 1-2, navigating four break points before holding serve. Shelton displayed similar resilience in the seventh game, fending off two break points with a series of aggressive winners. With neither athlete able to secure a break, the set moved into a tie-break. Alcaraz seized the initiative following a Shelton error and eventually clinched the set when the American sent a forehand long.
The second set followed a similar pattern of intensity. Shelton managed to secure the first break of the match to lead 2-2, but Alcaraz immediately elevated his game to level the score at 4-4. As the set reached its conclusion, Shelton struggled to hold serve under pressure, allowing Alcaraz to capitalize. The Spaniard sealed the championship with a precise flicked backhand winner, maintaining his perfect record in final appearances within Paris, having previously won two French Open titles at the venue.
This result marks the first defeat for Shelton in a Masters-level final, following his previous successes at the Canadian Open. For Alcaraz, the victory extends his current unbeaten run to nine matches, following his recent 500-level title win in Vienna. The Spaniard now shifts his focus to the ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for November 15-22, where he will compete for his first season-ending championship title.
