Paris Masters Tennis: Young Frenchman Luca Van Assche Dazzles the Crowd, Bows Out narrowly to Shelton

The courts of Paris witnessed the rise of a new star in French tennis this week, following a heroic run by 22-year-old Luca Van Assche at the Paris Masters 1000, where he bowed out with his head held high in the semifinals after an epic battle against American world No. 4 Ben Shelton.

Fierce Resistance Against American Power

Despite the clear physical disparity favoring the American powerhouse Ben Shelton, Van Assche delivered an unforgettable performance at the "Plénitude Arena." Shelton narrowly claimed victory in three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, in a fiercely competitive encounter that went down to the wire.

The Frenchman's task was by no means easy against Shelton's rocket serves, as the American fired 19 aces. Nonetheless, Van Assche managed to break his opponent's serve late in the first set to claim it, and even surged ahead 3-1 in the third set, before the American turned the tables, relying on his physical and mental prowess.

A Massive Leap in the World Rankings

This honorable exit caps an exceptional week for the French player, who eliminated prominent figures on his way to the final four, including Lorenzo Musetti and Lerner Tien. Thanks to this achievement, Van Assche will rise to world No. 34 in the ATP rankings—a staggering leap of roughly 300 spots compared to his position just one year ago, bringing him one step closer to securing a seeded spot at the upcoming Australian Open.

His coach, Sébastien Villette, expressed immense pride in the performance and character displayed by his protégé on the court, which went far beyond mere defensive play to deliver a complete performance in front of the home fans in the French capital, who cheered him on passionately throughout the tournament.

"I Have the Level to Play Against These Guys"

Speaking after the match, Van Assche appeared pleased with his level despite the heartbreak of missing out on a final on home soil, stating: "I know very well that I have the level to play against these stars and win such matches. Playing five matches at this elite level has given me tremendous confidence, and I still have plenty of room for improvement."

It is worth noting that Luca Van Assche, who won the 2021 Roland Garros boys' singles title, is currently considering competing in next week's Stockholm tournament to continue gathering points and conclude his sporting season in the best possible fashion, having captured the attention of sports fans across France.