PARIS -- Sebastien Grosjean scored the biggest victory of his career, defeating Yevgeny Kafelnikov 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4 Sunday to capture the Paris Masters.

Grosjean, seeded sixth, threw his arms in the air after his Russian opponent sent a forehand smash into the net to end the match.

"I had a dream week," Grosjean said. "I'm so moved."

This was the Frenchman's first title in the Masters Series -- second in importance to the Grand Slams -- and his second career title. It also guaranteed him a spot in the season-ending Masters Cup in Sydney, Australia.

It was the fifth defeat in a Masters Series final for Kafelnikov, a former French and Australian Open winner and the reigning Olympic champion. He was runner-up in Paris in 1996, losing to Thomas Enqvist.

"I must say I'm disappointed today," he said. "Unfortunately, this is the second time I've played in the final here. Every time I came short but I'm not ashamed."

This was the first time Grosjean has beaten Kafelnikov in four matches.

There were no break points during the first set and Grosjean closed the tiebreaker with a winning crosscourt forehand. He streaked through the next five games, sealing the second set 6-1.

In the third set, he broke for a 4-3 lead but was broken back. In the tiebreaker, the fourth-seeded Kafelnikov shook his head in irritation as the crowd jeered any calls in his favor. But the Russian won the game with a drop shot.

In the final set, Grosjean wasted two break points at 4-3. He won his next service game and ended the match on his third championship point in a game strewn with errors by his opponent.

Grosjean earned $434,000 and will rise to seventh in the ATP Champions Race, earning a berth in the Masters Cup for the first time.

Kafelnikov earlier this week claimed the seventh place in the eight-man event, which runs Nov. 12-18.

The six other who have qualified for Sydney are the four Grand Slam champions -- Andre Agassi, Gustavo Kuerten, Goran Ivanisevic and Lleyton Hewitt -- plus Juan Carlos Ferrero and Patrick Rafter.