Jannik Sinner moved a step closer to reclaiming the world number one ranking with a commanding victory over Ben Shelton at the Paris Masters.
Following Carlos Alcaraz’s shock second-round loss to Cameron Norrie, the Italian can overtake the Spaniard by lifting the ATP Masters 1,000 title in the French capital.
Sinner advanced to the Paris semi-finals for the first time with a 6-3, 6-3 win — his seventh consecutive triumph over the 23-year-old American. The 24-year-old will next face defending champion Alexander Zverev, who saved two match points before edging Daniil Medvedev in a gripping 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) encounter.
“I’m very happy,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “It was a really tough match. Against someone with his serve, you don’t always have control, but I felt I returned well and played solid, aggressive tennis from the baseline.”
Sinner briefly lost his serve midway through the second set but quickly broke back to seal victory in just 70 minutes.
“At the moment, I’m not thinking about the ranking,” added the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. “It’s just a reflection of how well I’m playing. Reaching the semi-finals here means a lot — it’s been a long season with great results, and I never take them for granted.”
In the other half of the draw, Alexander Bublik reached his first-ever Masters semi-final after a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 7-5 win over Alex de Minaur, triggering emotional celebrations for Kazakhstan’s top player.
Bublik, the 13th seed, will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, after the Canadian ninth seed cruised past Valentin Vacherot, the Shanghai Masters champion, with a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
