Cazaux takes Shelton out to join Rune at Paris-Bercy!

Arthur Cazaux hadn't been seen at this level since the Australian Open, where he reached the last 16 in January. In doing so, he beat Holger Rune, then world no. 8.

But what followed was not what had been hoped for the 22-year-old Frenchman, who has yet to confirm the full potential he showed in the land of the Kangaroos.

The moment of confirmation may well have come for Cazaux, 9 months later, when it was no longer expected this year. He himself was probably no longer expecting it after being eliminated by Fabio Fognini (7-6, 4-6, 6-2) in the final round of qualifying for this Rolex Paris Masters.

But as fate would have it, Jannik Sinner had to withdraw and the Frenchman was drafted in as a Lucky Loser. All that remained was to seize the opportunity, and Cazaux did just that, pulling off the feat of ousting Ben Shelton, ranked 19th in the world, to reach the last 16.

Winning in less than an hour and a half (6-3, 7-6), he hadn't managed to beat another Top 20 player since his victory over Rune in Melbourne. This same Rune will be his next challenge in Paris on Thursday.