Alcaraz beats Shelton in Paris Masters final for his fifth title this year

PARIS (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz continued his late-season surge by beating Ben Shelton 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the Paris Masters final on Sunday for his second straight title and fifth of the year.

It was Alcaraz’s 29th title of his career and followed his victory in Vienna last Sunday. Last month he won the Japan Open, having only returned from a right wrist injury in late August.

The second-seeded Spaniard threw his arms out wide in celebration after clinching victory on his second match point with a two-handed backhand winner down the line at the indoor Plenitude Arena. The seven-time Grand Slam champion cracked a broad smile and briefly appeared to cry after earning a ninth Masters title and first in Paris.

“It is something I have been chasing for a long time. Some of the toughest defeats I ever had in my career I have had here," Alcaraz said. "Finally I got my level here. I found the right path and the right way to do things.”

With the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin starting next Sunday he feels in a good position to win that trophy for the first time, too.

“I would say this week I made one step forward mentally," Alcaraz said. “Trying to be positive, trying to stay strong mentally. I’m happy I controlled my emotions every single match.”

Alcaraz won for the fourth time in five meetings with Shelton, who had beaten Alcaraz two months ago in a late-night quarterfinal marathon at the U.S. Open ending at 3:33 a.m. Shelton went on to reach the final, where he lost to Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz saved six break points in the first set and overcame a break of serve in the second set by breaking the third-seeded Shelton straight back — no mean feat considering Shelton had 12 aces compared to six for Alacaraz.

“He is always in a position to attack after that serve,” Alcaraz explained. “It is really difficult to dominate that ball. It is not only coming fast, it is coming with a lot of power.”

The 23-year-old Alcaraz did not drop a set in Vienna. But it was harder work in Paris and he almost went out on Friday, saving two match points against Taylor Fritz in their quarterfinal.

The 24-year-old Shelton was seeking his eighth title overall and third Masters, having twice won the Montreal title.

The American recently added Juan Carlos Ferrero to his coaching staff, following on from Alcaraz's split with long-time coach Ferrero last year.

There is clearly no animosity between the players over that. Both congratulated each other's shots in Sunday's final, and Alcaraz made a point of walking around the net to hug Shelton and pat him on the chest after winning.

With both players blessed with speed and agility, Alcaraz and Shelton drew each other to the net throughout.

They regularly traded low, angled volleys at the net.

Pushing the other to the extremities of the court, there were some improbable retrieves, including one by Shelton in the ninth game when the American almost did the splits.

Shelton had an early advantage when he had Alcaraz 0-40 down in the fourth game. The Spaniard went on to save four break points before finally holding.

Alcaraz clinched the tiebreaker when Shelton hit a forehand wide.

Shelton had another chance in the second set, when he broke Alcaraz's serve for the first time and held for a 4-2 lead. But Alcaraz broke back straight when Shelton hit a forehand long from the back of the court to make it 4-4.

After that he definitively changed the momentum.

“I am really proud of myself and the team, the way they have pushed me forward,” Alcaraz said. "This one means a lot to me.”

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after defeating United States' Ben Shelton during the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz holds the winning trophy following a win over United States' Ben Shelton in the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

United States' Ben Shelton returns the ball to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to United States' Ben Shelton during the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

United States' Ben Shelton returns the ball to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning a point against United States' Ben Shelton during the men's singles final match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United conceded two goals in less than four minutes against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday to pile more pressure on coach Michael Carrick before his team again rallied.

Villa forward Alysson fired through the legs of United goalkeeper Senne Lammens from the first attack of the game at Old Trafford and striker Nicolas Jackson added a second in the fourth to spark boos from the home fans.

With the second goal timed at 3 minutes, 42 seconds, it was the earliest United had ever been 2-0 down in the Premier League.

United supporters had already protested against the owners, the Glazer family and Jim Ratcliffe, before kickoff, calling on them to sell the club after years of underachievement.

And the jeers grew louder after Villa's quick-fire start, with fans chanting “We want Glazers out”.

United pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 16th, with Bruno Fernandes converting after Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box by Boubacar Kamara. And the fightback continued with Youri Tielemans leveling just before the break to make it 2-2 at halftime.

United also went 2-0 behind to Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, after 17 minutes, the quickest it had ever been behind by that scoreline in a European home game. United went on to win 3-2.

Carrick went into the match with uncertainty hanging over his position following United's worst start since the 1986-87 campaign, which led to the hiring of club icon Alex Ferguson.

United started the game second last in the standings, above bottom-placed Crystal Palace on goal difference.

Its only league win of the season was against newly promoted Ipswich on Aug. 30.

Villa fans taunted Carrick with chants of “You're getting sacked (fired) in the morning” and targeted former player Tielemans, singing “You used to play for a big club”.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Aston Villa's Alysson celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Soccer fans display a banner prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Soccer fans display banners prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)