Quarterfinals: Shelton makes it three
After defeating fellow American Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton became the first American to reach the Rolex Paris Masters semifinals since Jack Sock in 2017.
Third time, lucky charm?
Every time Ben Shelton (No.3) has reached the semifinals of a Masters 1000, he has gone on to win the title. Just as he did in Toronto in 2025 and Montreal this summer, the American booked his place in the last four in Paris with victory over Tommy Paul (6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in 1 hour and 45 minutes). He is now just two wins away from a first title in the French capital.
The two Americans had not faced each other since 2024 and needed a few games to find their rhythm. Until 5-4, both players were remarkably precise in this high-stakes encounter, with neither facing a single break point. But in the tenth game, the world No.14 began to show signs of tension, committing two unforced errors before surrendering the opening set on a forehand return winner from the left-hander after 35 minutes (6-4).
The Houston champion responded immediately. Thanks to an excellent return game, Tommy Paul broke his opponent at the first opportunity, moving 2-0 and then 3-1 ahead. Despite Shelton’s aggressive serving (8 aces and two love holds), he was never able to make up the deficit and eventually surrendered the second set 6-4.
Once again, the smallest details made the difference, and Tommy Paul’s lack of precision in the fourth game of the deciding set proved costly. A double fault followed by two unforced errors handed the higher-ranked American a valuable advantage.
Still rock-solid on serve, Ben Shelton, who has already qualified for the ATP Finals for the second time in his career after 2025, showed no signs of nerves when serving for the match. As for Brad Stine’s charge, there will be no trip to Turin.