Luca Van Assche Reaches First Masters Quarterfinal at Paris Masters

Luca Van Assche, the 22‑year‑old Frenchman, advanced to his first Masters‑1000 quarterfinal by defeating Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in Paris on Thursday.

Van Assche's breakthrough performance

Ranked No. 47, Van Assche displayed composure on a fast indoor court, sealing the match with a clean volley on his first match point. The win marks a significant milestone in his career, as it is his inaugural appearance in the latter stages of a Masters event.

Ben Shelton's season‑best victory

In the same tournament, American Ben Shelton recorded a season‑best 43rd win, overcoming Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5). Shelton, the U.S. Open runner‑up, earned a place in the quarterfinals where he will meet No. 12 Tommy Paul.

Ben Shelton vs Tommy Paul

The upcoming all‑American clash will be the fifth meeting between Shelton and Paul, with the head‑to‑head tied at two wins each. Shelton expressed enthusiasm about the matchup, noting Paul’s strong form and describing him as a great player and friend.

Implications for the ATP Finals race

Both Shelton and Paul remain in contention for the remaining spots at the ATP Finals in Turin later in November. Shelton is already among the six qualified players, while Paul continues his pursuit after a straight‑sets win over Quentin Halys.

Upcoming challenge for Van Assche

Van Assche's next opponent is qualifier Rinky Hijikata, who advanced by beating Novak Djokovic in the previous round. Hijikata's upset over the Serbian champion was detailed in a recent Daily Trendify story, which readers can explore here.

Other notable results

Second‑seeded Carlos Alcaraz progressed after Matteo Berrettini withdrew due to an arm injury. Alcaraz will face Taylor Fritz, who posted an impressive service game with 14 aces and no double faults.

Overall, the Paris Masters continues to deliver high‑stakes matches as players vie for valuable ranking points and a chance to qualify for the season‑ending ATP Finals.

Sources: AP News, 10TV, ATP Tour.