Alcaraz takes 'one step forward mentally' by winning Paris Masters and Vienna titles back-to-back

Carlos Alcaraz feels proud of taking “one step forward mentally” after following up his Vienna title last week with a 7-6 (5), 7-5 victory over Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final on Sunday.The Spanish showman, who missed more than four months of the season because of an injured right wrist, continued his late-season surge in style. He has won all three finals he has reached since the U.S. Open two months ago. Alcaraz took his total to five titles for the year and 29 overall, including the Japan Open last month.Second-seeded Alcaraz threw his arms out wide in celebration after clinching victory on his second match point with a two-handed backhand winner down the line at the indoor Plenitude Arena. The seven-time Grand Slam champion cracked a broad smile and briefly appeared to cry after earning a ninth Masters title and first in Paris.“It is something I have been chasing for a long time. Some of the toughest defeats I ever had in my career I have had here," Alcaraz said. "Finally I