Alcaraz downs Shelton to win Paris Masters

Carlos Alcaraz gained a measure of revenge on Ben Shelton on Sunday as the seven-time Grand Slam champion beat the American 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 to win the Paris Masters for the first time. In defeating the man who ended his US Open title defence earlier this season, the 23-year-old claimed the ninth 1000-level title of his career. Unlike their five-set quarter-final epic in New York two months ago, the clash in Paris lasted just under two hours. "For me it's really special that finally I just got to play great tennis," Alcaraz told reporters. "I went far in the tournament, lifting the trophy at the end. "I would say this week I took a step forward mentally. I had a lot of really tough moments. "I'm just really happy that I controlled my emotions, controlled my thoughts every moment, every single match," he added in reference to his quarter-final win against Taylor Fritz in which he saved two match points. Coming into Paris on the back of winning the 500-level title in Vienna, Alcaraz has won his last nine matches. "Probably these two last weeks have been the best I've played since my comeback," Alcaraz added of his return from a wrist injury that caused him to...