Alcaraz sets up Shelton rematch in Paris final

Carlos Alcaraz says he is ready for "one of the most difficult challenges in tennis" after setting up a rematch against Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final.

After escaping two match points to pull off a comeback in his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz on Friday, Alcaraz secured his first appearance in the Paris showpiece with an efficient 6-4 6-4 win over Casper Ruud.

The 23-year-old Spaniard's US Open title defence was ended by Shelton in an epic five-set quarter-final which ended at 03:34 local time in their previous meeting in September.

That tournament was seven-time major winner Alcaraz's first following a four-month absence to deal with a wrist injury - and he has been building back towards his scintillating best ever since.