Carlos Alcaraz surpasses Jannik Sinner in key area after winning the Paris Masters title

Carlos Alcaraz continues to prove why he is already one of the greatest players in tennis history.

The young Spaniard – as has become custom – played his best tennis when the stakes were at their highest in the Paris Masters final, beating Ben Shelton 7-6, 7-5 at the Plenitude Arena.

The Spaniard now has a 20-2 record since returning from long-term injury at the end of August; the best record over that period of any player on the ATP Tour.

Alcaraz has now won his ninth Masters 1000 title and now sits one title behind his great rival, Jannik Sinner.

Speaking of Sinner, Alcaraz has surpassed the Italian in one particular statistical area following his victory.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the most combined Grand Slam and Masters 1000 titles this decade

With victory in Paris, Alcaraz has now won a combined 16 titles across Grand Slam and Masters 1000 events.

As per OptaAce, Alcaraz has now won the most tournaments across the two formats since 2020, overtaking Jannik Sinner.

Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev make up the top five in this statistical area.

Most combined Grand Slam and Masters 1000 titles since 2020

• Carlos Alcaraz – 16
• Jannik Sinner – 15
• Novak Djokovic – 14
• Alexander Zverev – 6
• Daniil Medvedev – 5

Alcaraz will look to continue his fine form when he competes in the ATP Finals later this week.

The Spaniard, who is yet to win the end-of-year event, will be seeded second – only behind Alexander Zverev.

Jannik Sinner is the defending ATP Finals champion. The Italian will not defend his title in Turin due to a long-term knee injury.

Tim Henman reacts to Carlos Alcaraz winning the Paris Masters

I don’t think it was a classic match. It was fairly erratic from both men, but when it mattered most Alcaraz was able to come up with the goods when he needed it,” Henman, a former world number four, said while on punditry duties for Sky Sports.

As mentioned already, Alcaraz has been in superb form since returning from injury, winning 20 of his 2022 matches and winning three ATP Tour titles.

Carlos Alcaraz’s tournament results since returning from injury

• US Open – lost to Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals
• Laver Cup – won both of his two matches [singles and doubles]
• Japan Open – defeated Jiri Lehecka in the final
• Shanghai Masters – lost to Zizou Bergs in the second round
• Vienna Open – defeated Alex de Minaur in the final
• Paris Masters – defeated Ben Shelton in the final

“I think the secret to that was making sure that his wrist was 100 per cent,” Henman said of Alcaraz’s excellent form post-injury.

“The way he uses his wrist and the way any player does, it’s so important. He plays with so much racket head speed and acceleration, so it’s great to see he is fit and healthy.”