Carlos Alcaraz has stated that he is bracing for one of the toughest tests in professional tennis as he prepares to face Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final. After erasing two match points to pull off an inspiring comeback victory over Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals, Alcaraz booked his maiden appearance in the Paris showcase with an efficient 6-4 6-4 straight-sets win against Casper Ruud.
This tournament marks the first competitive outing for the seven-time major champion following a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury, and he has steadily worked his way back to his scintillating best. The world number three expressed readiness for the upcoming clash, noting that taking on the American is arguably one of the most difficult challenges currently possible in the sport.
Reflecting on his journey, Alcaraz mentioned that his opponent is playing exceptional tennis at the moment. He recalled their previous encounter as a phenomenal contest while expressing excitement about finally reaching a title match he has chased for a long time. Despite missing a significant chunk of the season, only Shelton and Jannik Sinner have managed to match Alcaraz's impressive tally of six tour-level finals in 2026.
Alcaraz's history with Ruud includes a memorable victory in the 2022 US Open final, which propelled the Spanish star to his maiden major title and the coveted world number one ranking. Continuing his quest to re-establish dominance at the summit of men's tennis following his long-term physical setbacks, Alcaraz proved superior during their latest meeting in the French capital.
The dominant display saw Alcaraz control all areas of the court, winning an astounding 86% of points on his first serve. He struck 20 winners, including 13 from his forehand, and was remarkably clinical at the net by winning 11 of 13 points. A single break of serve settled each set, with Alcaraz sealing both with an ace to cap off an 86-minute masterclass that denied Ruud any chance of a response.
Having never previously advanced beyond the quarter-final stage in Paris, Alcaraz has now reached the title match at seven of the nine prestigious ATP Masters 1000 events. Waiting for him in the showdown is world number four Ben Shelton, who secured his place after staging a brilliant three-set comeback victory against Frenchman Luca van Assche.
Shelton enters the final high on confidence during the twilight of a 2026 campaign that has yielded a career-best 45 victories. The 24-year-old American triumphed 5-7 6-3 6-4, etching his name in history as the first American men's singles finalist at the tournament since 2017. Shelton acknowledged Alcaraz's exceptional form, describing him as a young legend of the sport whose matches are always blockbuster events.
