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Ben Shelton beat Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals and record his season-best 43rd win. He will face fellow American Tommy Paul, while Carlos Alcaraz advanced by walkover and Taylor Fritz set up a quarterfinal against Alcaraz.
Ben Shelton rallied past Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals, earning his season-best 43rd victory. The U.S. Open runner-up will next meet Tommy Paul in an all-American matchup, while Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz also advanced to the last eight.
Shelton recovered after losing the opening set, taking the second 6-4 before edging the deciding tiebreak 7-5. The victory moved him into the quarterfinals of the indoor Masters 1000 tournament and set a new personal season high for match wins, according to the Associated Press report.
His next opponent, No. 12 seed Tommy Paul, defeated Quentin Halys 7-6 (3), 6-4 earlier Thursday. Shelton and Paul have split their four previous meetings, with two wins apiece; the Paris match will be their first meeting since 2024. Shelton said he was looking forward to facing his friend, while noting that Paul was in strong form.
Fritz beat Arthur Fils 6-3, 6-4, and Alcaraz moved on after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from their third-round match because of an arm injury. Alcaraz is scheduled to face Fritz in the quarterfinals. France’s Luca Van Assche also reached his first Masters quarterfinal, beating Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 3-6, 6-4; qualifier Rinky Hijikata advanced to face him after defeating Tomas Etcheverry.
Shelton’s Win Sets Up All-American Quarterfinal
Shelton’s win gives him a place in the tournament’s final eight and a direct test against a familiar opponent. The 2-2 career record with Paul offers a close measure of how evenly matched their previous meetings have been, although their most recent contest came in 2024 and does not settle how they will match up now.
The result also sits within a busy day for American contenders. Paul and Fritz both advanced, and Fritz remains in contention for one of the two remaining places at the ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for Nov. 15-22. The AP report says Shelton is among the six players already qualified. Thursday’s results keep the tournament’s late-stage picture active for both the Paris title and the season-ending event, but they do not by themselves determine the remaining Turin qualifiers.
For Shelton, the immediate significance is simpler: he has reached the quarterfinals after a three-set comeback and will face a player who knows his game. Shelton called the prospect “fireworks,” a description of the matchup rather than a prediction of its result.
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Thursday’s Results Reshape the Paris Draw
The Paris Masters is being played as the ATP season approaches its conclusion, with the tournament offering a final opportunity for players to make a late run before the ATP Finals. Shelton’s 43rd win of the season is a personal season high, not a tournament record or a claim about the most wins on tour.
Several separate results shaped the quarterfinal lineup Thursday. Alcaraz advanced when Berrettini withdrew before their third-round match. The Italian said in an Instagram post that he had been in pain for several days, but did not identify which arm was injured. Fritz’s win over Fils then arranged a quarterfinal meeting with Alcaraz.
Paul’s win over Halys and Shelton’s victory created the all-American quarterfinal. Elsewhere, Van Assche earned his first Masters quarterfinal appearance by beating Musetti, who has reached at least the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments, according to the report. Hijikata, who had beaten Novak Djokovic in the second round, defeated Etcheverry and will meet Van Assche.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been on the court, but I’m looking forward to it. He’s in great form right now. A great player, a great friend.”
— Ben Shelton
Berrettini’s Injury Details Remain Limited
The report does not identify the arm that troubled Berrettini or provide a diagnosis, expected recovery period or further details about his condition. His withdrawal allowed Alcaraz to advance, but the available information does not establish whether Berrettini will be fit for subsequent events.
The quarterfinal results were not yet known in the source report. Shelton’s match with Paul, Alcaraz’s meeting with Fritz and the other quarterfinals remained to be played. The report also does not specify which players will secure the two remaining ATP Finals places; Fritz and Paul were described as still in contention.
Quarterfinal Matches Set for Next
Shelton is due to face Paul in the next round, with their head-to-head record level at two wins apiece. Alcaraz is set to play Fritz, whose serving performance against Fils included 14 aces, no double faults and no break points faced, according to the report. Van Assche will meet Hijikata in another quarterfinal.
Those matches will determine which players move on to the Paris semifinals. The results will also feed into the remaining race for the ATP Finals, though the source report does not give a complete qualification picture or state when the final two places will be mathematically settled.
Key Questions
What was Ben Shelton’s score against Arthur Rinderknech?
Shelton won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Thursday, recovering after dropping the first set.
Who will Shelton play in the Paris quarterfinals?
He is scheduled to face Tommy Paul. They have split their four previous matches, and the Paris meeting will be their first since 2024.
Why did Carlos Alcaraz advance?
Matteo Berrettini withdrew from their third-round match because of an arm injury. The report says Berrettini had been in pain for a few days but does not identify the arm or give further medical details.
Is Taylor Fritz still in the ATP Finals race?
Yes. The report says Fritz remains in contention for one of the two remaining places at the ATP Finals in Turin. Paul also remains in contention; the final qualification outcomes were not yet known.
Source: apnews.com
