Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, was scheduled to play the Italian, but Berrettini pulled out ahead of their encounter with an elbow injury. After receiving a bye through the first round as a top-eight seed, Alcaraz is into the last eight with only one match under his belt in Paris, a straight-sets success against Alex Michelsen. Carlos Alcaraz moved into the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Thursday after his last 16 opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew.
“Unfortunately, the pain in my arm that I’ve been putting up with for the past few days means I won’t be able to take to the court tonight,” Berrettini posted on social media.
Alcaraz has never won the Paris Masters. The Spaniard is the top-ranked player remaining in the draw after world number one Alexander Zverev lost on Wednesday. Shelton will next play compatriot Tommy Paul after the 12th seed beat Frenchman Quentin Halys 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 in the day’s opening match on centre court.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been on the court, but I’m looking forward to it,” Shelton said of taking on Paul for the first time since losing to the world number 14 in Dallas two years ago.
“He’s in great form right now. A great player, a great friend.”
