Shelton Outwits Hometown Hope Van Assche to Reach Paris Masters Final
Shelton recovered after a shaky opening set and became the first American in the Paris Masters final since Jack Sock in 2017.
- World number four Ben Shelton defeated local favorite Luca Van Assche 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Paris Masters in Nanterre, France, securing a spot in his third ATP 1000 final.
- The 22-year-old Frenchman, ranked 47th, pushed the 24-year-old American into a grueling three-set match, narrowly winning the opening frame amid roaring hometown support before Shelton rallied back to take control.
- Shelton overcame 17 unforced errors in the first set, later finding his rhythm with 19 aces. "I made a significant amount of forehand unforced errors," Shelton said, explaining his tactical adjustment to the court's speed.
- The American now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and three-time major runner-up Casper Ruud of Norway, scheduled for Sunday.
- Shelton aims to clinch his third ATP 1000 title on Sunday, having won the Canadian Open twice; he is the first American to reach this final since Jack Sock in 2017.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Shelton ends Van Assche's run to reach Paris Masters final
Shelton beat the French world number 47 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in their last-four meeting. The US Open runner-up will meet either Carlos Alcaraz or former world number two Casper Ruud in Sunday's showpiece match. The 24-year-old Shelton already holds two 1000-level titles, after winning the last two editions of the Canadian Open. Despite being a break up in the deciding set, Van Assche fell just short of the biggest win of his career and a first Master…
Shelton outwits hometown hope Van Assche to reach Paris Masters final
Shelton, who defeated the tennis player Galo 5-7, 6-3 and 6-4 in 2 hours and 16 minutes, will play his first final in the Parisian indoor tournament. The runner-up of the US Open counts at 24 years with two titles in Masters 1000, having conquered the last two editions of the Canadian Open. Later, the Spanish Alcaraz will be measured with the Norwegian Ruud in the other semifinal. The Murciano, seven times Grand Slam champion, also seeks to reac…
Paris, 7 Nov (EFE).- The American Ben Shelton managed to stop the impetus of the Frenchman Luca van Assche to qualify for the first time for the final of the Masters 1,000 of Paris, in which will be measured the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz or the Norwegian Casper Ruud. In a hostile environment, with a very favorable audience to the Gaul, the number 4 of the world managed to turn the party (5-7, 6-3 and 6-4), that Van Assche, 47 of the ‘ranking’, had …
The American, the world's number four, waved but finally made respect his rank on Saturday by ruling the French in three sets.
The American, number four worldwide, was able to trace a set to the local tennis player
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
