Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has moved a step closer to reclaiming the world number one ranking after a commanding victory over Ben Shelton at the Paris Masters. The 24-year-old Sinner won 6-3, 6-3, securing his place in the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 event in the French capital.

With Carlos Alcaraz suffering a surprise second-round defeat to Cameron Norrie, Sinner now has the opportunity to overtake the Spaniard in the rankings by winning the tournament.

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Sinner’s Dominant Performance Against Shelton

Sinner maintained his unbeaten record against Shelton, marking his seventh consecutive win over the American. Despite dropping serve briefly in the second set, Sinner quickly regained control, finishing the match in just 70 minutes.

“It was a very, very tough match,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “At times you don’t have a lot of control because of his incredible serving, but today I felt like I was returning very well. Also, from the back of the court I played very solid and very aggressive.”

The victory not only advances Sinner to the semi-finals but also adds to his remarkable season, having reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning two and narrowly losing the other two to Alcaraz.

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Semi-Final Clash With Alexander Zverev

Sinner will face third seed Alexander Zverev in the Paris semi-finals. Zverev survived a dramatic encounter with Daniil Medvedev, saving two match points to win 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).

“Making the semis here in Paris means a lot. It has been a very long season with some great, great results and I never take these results for granted,” Sinner added.

This sets up a high-stakes showdown between two of the ATP Tour’s most consistent performers, both seeking to secure points critical for year-end rankings.

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Other Semi-Finalists

• Alexander Bublik reached his first Masters semi-final, defeating Australian sixth seed Alex de Minaur 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 7-5. The victory sparked emotional celebrations for Kazakhstan’s number one.
• Felix Auger-Aliassime, the ninth seed from Canada, also progressed after a 6-2, 6-2 win over Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot.

This sets up a semi-final clash between Bublik and Auger-Aliassime, completing a competitive final four.

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Implications for the ATP Rankings

Sinner’s performance in Paris could have significant consequences for the ATP world rankings, particularly with Alcaraz’s early exit. A tournament win would not only bolster Sinner’s confidence but also potentially restore him to the world number one position, underlining his consistent form throughout the season.

“At the moment I’m not thinking about the ranking. It’s a consequence of how I’m playing,” Sinner said.