Sinner Triumphs Over Shelton, Advances to Paris Semifinals

Jannik Sinner secured a decisive victory against Ben Shelton, winning 6-3, 6-3, to reach the semifinals of the Paris Masters for the first time on Friday. This win not only marks Sinner’s seventh consecutive triumph over the American player but also extends his remarkable indoor winning streak to 24 matches, a run that began in November 2023. If Sinner captures the title in Paris, he will reclaim the world No. 1 ranking on Monday.

Sinner’s next challenge will be against either defending champion Alexander Zverev or 2020 champion Daniil Medvedev, who were scheduled to face off later on Friday. This upcoming match represents a significant opportunity for Sinner, as he aims to solidify his position at the top of the ATP rankings.

In other quarterfinal action, Felix Auger-Aliassime ended the impressive run of wild card entrant Valentin Vacherot with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win. Vacherot had entered the tournament following a successful streak, having won his previous ten Masters matches, including his first title in Shanghai earlier this month. However, Auger-Aliassime proved too formidable for the Monegasque player, advancing to his fourth Masters semifinal.

Auger-Aliassime has experienced a successful season, reaching ten tour-level semifinals and securing titles in Adelaide, Montpellier, and Brussels. He will next confront Alexander Bublik, who advanced after defeating sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5, while managing to hold serve throughout the match.

Bublik’s victory is noteworthy as he has won 30 of his last 37 matches since the French Open and has claimed four titles during that span. Furthermore, he makes history as the first Kazakh player to reach a Masters semifinal, marking a significant achievement for his country in the realm of tennis.

As the Paris Masters progresses, all eyes will be on Sinner, Auger-Aliassime, and Bublik as they vie for a prestigious title and the accompanying accolades that come with success on this prominent stage.