Germany’s Alexander Zverev claimed a straight-set win over home favourite Ugo Humbert to clinch his first Paris Masters title.
The new world number two beat the French number one 6-2 6-2 on Sunday to secure the seventh ATP 1000 title of his career.
Both were playing in their fourth final of the year, with Zverev having lost the French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz in June.
Zverev’s semi-final win on Saturday was enough to ensure the 27-year-old will now leapfrog Alcaraz and regain second spot in the ATP rankings.
Humbert, 26, stunned Alcaraz in the last 16 at Palais Omnisports in Bercy before reaching his first Masters final, becoming the first French finalist at the indoor event in 13 years.
“I came as a kid to watch matches here and it made me want to do what I do, so I’m very happy to have reached the final,” said the world number 18.
Humbert produced a sublime forehand passing shot to hold his serve in the opening game but was soon overpowered by Zverev, who forced a break in the third game.
A second consecutive break gave Zverev a 4-1 lead before he clinched the first set, making just four unforced errors to 17 from Humbert.
A double fault handed Zverev another break at the start of the second set and the German continued to grind Humbert down with his serve and punishing groundstrokes.
Humbert took just five points on return throughout and Zverev served out to claim his second Masters trophy of the season, after his Rome victory on clay in May.
That took the German past world number one Jannik Sinner for most victories this year (66) and he will next play at the ATP Finals in Turin from 10-17 November, when he will aim to win the season-ending showpiece for a third time.
