Ben Shelton Paris Masters semifinal win over Tommy Paul, Digi Mart USA News (Paris): World number four Ben Shelton battled past fellow American Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Friday to reach the Paris Masters semifinals.
Neither player had a break point in a tight first set until US Open finalist Shelton earned two at 5-4 up, courtesy of two Paul double faults. He clinched the set on the second one, firing a return winner down the line.
Paul broke back in the very first game of the second set, which was enough to level the contest and force a decider.
Shelton could not convert an early break point to go 2-0 up in the third set, but he kept up the pressure. He broke Paul before moving 4-1 clear.
The third seed will now play the winner of the other quarterfinal between France’s Luca van Assche and Australia’s Rinky Hijikata for a spot in the final.
