Shelton's season best 43rd win moves him into Paris Masters quarterfinals along with Alcaraz, Fritz

PARIS (AP) — Ben Shelton beat Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Thursday for a season's best 43rd win and a spot in the Paris Masters quarterfinals.

The U.S. Open runner-up next faces No. 12 Tommy Paul in an all-American contest. It will be their fifth career meeting, with the players on two wins each, and the first since 2024.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been on the court, but I’m looking forward to it,” Shelton said. “He’s in great form right now. A great player, a great friend.”

It was a good day for American players as 11th-seeded Taylor Fritz swept aside No.6 seed Arthur Fils 6-3, 6-4 to maintain an outside chance of earning one of the two remaining spots for the Nov. 15-22 ATP Finals in Turin.

Paul also remains in contention after earlier beating Quentin Halys 7-6 (3), 6-4 and Shelton hopes he makes it.

“I've been rooting for him all year to make a push and make it to Turin,” said Shelton, who is among the six players already qualified. “It will be fireworks tomorrow.”

Earlier, Carlos Alcaraz advanced after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from their third-round match because of an arm injury. The big-serving Italian did not specify which arm but said in an Instagram post that he has been in pain for a few days.

The second-seeded Alcaraz next faces Fritz, who was imperious on serve with 14 aces, no double faults and no break points faced. Fritz won 77% of first serve points and a remarkable 92% of second serve points.

He clinched victory with a love hold, winning on his first match point with a crisp cross-court backhand.

Another Frenchman got home fans on their feet even before Fils had played, with Luca Van Assche beating Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to reach his first-ever Masters quarterfinal.

The No. 47-ranked Van Assche served out the match with a neat volley at the net on his first match point against Musetti, who has reached at least the quarterfinals at all four majors.

After beating Novak Djokovic in the second round, qualifier Rinky Hijikata advanced with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Tomas Etcheverry and plays Van Assche next.

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