Paris Masters
Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton meet in the Paris Masters 2026 final on Sunday 8 November, not before 14:00 UK time on Court Central. It is the last Masters 1000 final of the season, their first meeting in a final, and the first time they have played since Shelton beat Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarter-final that finished at 3:33 a.m.
Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, beat Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals without facing a break point, a day after saving two match points against Taylor Fritz. Shelton, the No. 3 seed, came from a set and 1-3 down in the decider to beat the Frenchman Luca Van Assche 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Both men have already qualified for the ATP Finals in Turin, so this is about the title and the momentum they take there.
Alcaraz vs Shelton Head-to-Head
Alcaraz leads Shelton 3-1. He won their first three meetings, including the only one indoors, at the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin, before Shelton turned the tables in New York in September.
| Year | Event | Round | Surface | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | US Open | Quarter-final | Hard | Shelton | 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) |
| 2025 | Roland Garros | Fourth round | Clay | Alcaraz | 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 |
| 2024 | Laver Cup | Round robin | Indoor hard | Alcaraz | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2023 | Canadian Open | Second round | Hard | Alcaraz | 6-3, 7-6(3) |
Every meeting has been tight on the scoreboard: three of the four went to a tie-break, and the US Open match ended in a final-set tie-break. Shelton went on to reach his first Grand Slam final that fortnight and lost it to Alexander Zverev, as our US Open final preview and report covered.
Form and Numbers
| Carlos Alcaraz | Ben Shelton | |
|---|---|---|
| Seed in Paris | 2 | 3 |
| ATP ranking | No. 3 | No. 4 (career high) |
| Titles in 2026 | 4, most recently Vienna on 1 November | 4: Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart and Montreal |
| Career titles | 28 | 7 |
| Masters 1000 finals | 11th (nine titles) | 3rd (won Toronto 2025 and Montreal 2026) |
| Best in Paris before 2026 | Quarter-finals | First final |
| Current run | Eight wins in a row | Three straight three-setters in Paris |
Alcaraz has now reached the final at seven different Masters 1000 events, with only Canada and Shanghai missing. Shelton is in his sixth final of 2026, the joint-most on tour with Jannik Sinner, and is the first American with six finals in a season since James Blake in 2006. He is also the first American in the Paris final since Jack Sock won the title in 2017.
The Ferrero Twist
There is an extra storyline. A week ago Shelton announced that Juan Carlos Ferrero will join his coaching team for 2027, alongside his father Bryan. Ferrero guided Alcaraz to his first six Grand Slam titles before their partnership ended in December 2025, so on Sunday Alcaraz faces the player his former coach is about to start working with. It is part of a busy week for coaching news: Jannik Sinner is replacing Darren Cahill with Magnus Norman, and Ruud announced on Saturday that David Ferrer joins his team next season.
Routes to the Final
| Round | Alcaraz | Shelton |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Bye | Bye |
| Second round | beat Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3 | beat Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 |
| Third round | Matteo Berrettini withdrew | beat Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) |
| Quarter-final | beat Taylor Fritz 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-3 | beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 |
| Semi-final | beat Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 | beat Luca Van Assche 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 |
Shelton has spent more time on court, with three three-set wins in a row, while Alcaraz had a walkover in the third round and a quick semi-final. The two quarter-finals also settled the last two places at the ATP Finals: Shelton’s win over Paul put Frances Tiafoe into Turin, and Alcaraz’s win over Fritz put Rafael Jódar in.
Key Battle
The Paris courts are quick, which suits Shelton’s left-handed serve: he hit 19 aces against Paul and has held his nerve in three tight deciders. If he serves well and keeps the points short, he can make this another tie-break contest. Alcaraz’s edge is his return and his variety. He did not face a break point against Ruud, came through the closest match of the week against Fritz, and won their only indoor meeting in straight sets. The longer the rallies, the more the match should tilt his way.
Prediction
Pick: Alcaraz to win in three sets. Shelton has the serve to take a set and the US Open win to give him belief, but Alcaraz has won eight in a row, leads the head-to-head 3-1 and arrives fresher after an 86-minute semi-final. A deciding set looks likely given how close their matches tend to be.
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Time, TV and Prize Money
- When: Sunday 8 November, not before 14:00 UK time (15:00 in Paris), after the doubles final on Court Central.
- How to watch: the Paris Masters is live on Sky Sports and NOW in the UK. See our Paris Masters live-stream guide.
- Prize money: €974,370 and 1,000 ranking points for the champion, €532,120 and 650 points for the runner-up. Full breakdown in our Paris Masters prize money guide.
- History: both men are in their first Paris final. See every past champion in our Paris Masters winners list.
FAQ
Paris Masters 2026 Final FAQs
What time is the Paris Masters final?
Alcaraz vs Shelton is on Sunday 8 November, not before 14:00 UK time (15:00 in Paris), on Court Central after the doubles final.
What is the Alcaraz vs Shelton head-to-head?
Carlos Alcaraz leads 3-1. He won in Canada in 2023, at the 2024 Laver Cup and at Roland Garros in 2025, and Ben Shelton won their most recent meeting in the 2026 US Open quarter-finals in five sets.
How can I watch the Paris Masters final in the UK?
The Paris Masters is live on Sky Sports and NOW in the UK.
How much does the Paris Masters champion win?
The champion earns €974,370 and 1,000 ranking points, and the runner-up €532,120 and 650 points.
Who is the prediction for the Paris Masters final?
Carlos Alcaraz to win in three sets.
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