Shelton beats Paul, securing Tiafoe’s ATP Finals debut

Ben Shelton defeated Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Friday, reaching his first semifinal at the tournament and ending Paul’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals. The ATP said Shelton’s victory also secured Frances Tiafoe’s debut at the season-ending event in Turin. Shelton, the third seed and already qualified for the ATP Finals, converted two of four break points against Paul. He broke once in the first set and again in the third, while Paul broke him in the second. Shelton faced one break point, according to the match report. Reports differed on Shelton’s ace total: two gave him 19, while another recorded 11. Paul’s total was also reported differently, at seven in one account and five in another, so the ace figures are not included in the match’s settled details. The result eliminated Paul from the qualification race. He needed to reach the Paris final to pass Rafael Jodar for the last available ATP Finals place, according to one report. Paul had advanced to the quarterfinals without dropping a set, matching his best result at the Paris tournament, which he had also reached in 2022. Tiafoe will make his first appearance at the ATP Finals...