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Shelton outwits hometown hope Van Assche to reach Paris Masters final
Ben Shelton recovered from losing the first set to beat French player Luca Van Assche 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the Paris Masters final. The win puts the world number four into the third ATP 1000 final of his career and makes him the first American finalist at the tournament since Jack Sock in 2017.
Van Assche, ranked 47th, took the opening set with the backing of the home crowd after Shelton made 17 unforced errors. Shelton improved in the second set, then came from 1-3 down in the third to win four games in a row as Van Assche made double faults and missed forehands. Shelton has won the Canadian Open twice and will aim for a third ATP 1000 title; Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud were due to play the other semi-final.
In short
- Shelton beat Van Assche in three sets to reach the Paris final.
- He recovered from a 1-3 deficit in the deciding set.
- He is the first American finalist there since 2017.