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Ben Shelton beats Tommy Paul to reach the Paris Masters semifinals
Ben Shelton outlasted Tommy Paul 6-4 4-6 6-3 in Paris to reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal outside Canada and help Frances Tiafoe clinch Turin.
An all-American quarterfinal in Paris went the distance.
Ben Shelton beat Tommy Paul 6-4 4-6 6-3 on Friday at the Rolex Paris Masters to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal outside his two title runs in Canada.
The lefty fired 19 aces in one hour and 46 minutes and converted two of four break points.
Turin ripple effect
Shelton has already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals. The result also locked Frances Tiafoe into Turin while ending Paul's Finals hopes. Taylor Fritz can still claim the last American spot by beating Carlos Alcaraz later Friday.
"Frances has had an outstanding year. One of my best friends and to see him make Turin for the first time is amazing" Shelton said.
Next up: Van Assche
Shelton next faces home favorite Luca Van Assche who beat qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-4 6-7(4) 7-5. Van Assche is the second-youngest French semifinalist in tournament history behind Richard Gasquet in 2007.
Shelton is the first American into the Paris last four since Jack Sock and John Isner in 2017.
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