Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed, extinguished the hopes of the United States on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to capture his first US Open crown. The German displayed superior firepower, overcoming the eighth‑seeded American 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the iconic courts of Flushing Meadows. This triumph adds a New York title to Zverev’s résumé, which already includes a French Open championship earlier in the season. The conclusion of the match was unusually dramatic: Shelton’s return on championship point sailed long, yet Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended the match, returned the ball to the opposite side of the court as if another game were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the scoreboard on the giant screen did he realize he had already secured the championship. Zverev’s career achievements now read: two Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 tour titles and a brief stint as world No. 1. The German hinted that 2026 could finally be the year he simply enjoys his success, saying to Sky Sports Tennis, "There has been so much suffering for my family at Grand Slam level; maybe this is the year we just relish it.
Everything is falling into place and I’m unbelievably happy." He reflected on his earlier mindset, noting, "If someone had told me three months ago that I would win just one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed that paper immediately and never questioned it. To be standing here with two majors in a few short months is surreal." When asked about his confusion on championship point, Zverda admitted, "I thought the score was 5‑1. I knew I had broken him twice but I believed he had held once.
I was planning a relaxed service game and then to get tighter on the next. It was lucky for me!" He added, "Coaches always say to play each point and forget the score.
I forgot the score and it actually helped me." Shelton entered the final with the chance to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and only the second Black man ever to do so after Arthur Ashe in 1975. He was welcomed by a thunderous ovation from a partisan crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Among the high‑profile attendees were actors Brad Pitt and Rami Malek, as well as James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock showing a mere 0.07 seconds. Zverev’s path to the final was grueling: he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court throughout the tournament, the fourth‑longest total for a finalist since 1991. He started the championship match aggressively, breaking Shelton in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance.
The American could not generate a single break‑point in the first two sets, as Zverev, seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam for the first time, used his powerful serve to keep Shelton at bay. Historically, Shelton had lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev and had never defeated either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz before this event.
His run to the final, however, gave him confidence heading into the New York showdown. Free from the label of "the best player never to win a major" after his French Open victory, Zverev seized the second‑set tiebreak, moving within a set of the title. Shelton rallied in the third, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to force a fourth set. Yet Zverev’s momentum proved decisive; he broke early in the fourth and never looked back.
Zverev’s infamous ball‑bouncing ritual—statistics indicate he spent roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court this fortnight bouncing the ball between serves—eventually resulted in a time‑violation warning, but it did not derail his performance. Shelton’s partner, U.S. women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat, traveling 200 miles from a Washington, D.C., football pitch to Queens in time to join him in his box. Unfortunately for her, Zverev’s composure held, and he clinched his second Grand Slam title in a match lasting three hours and 33 minutes.
In his post‑match interview, Zverev paid heartfelt tribute to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who refused to let his type‑1 diabetes define his future. "When your four‑year‑old son is diagnosed with diabetes and doctors say his life and sport will be limited, it takes a very strong mother to say ‘my son will be whatever he wants to be.’" He praised her resilience, calling her "the strongest person I know." He also lauded Shelton, stating, "Ben, you’re an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I’ve already told you you’ll be back many more times. If I had to bet all my money, I’d bet you’ll lift this trophy one day." The head‑to‑head record now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favor, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and the culmination of a year in which he dispelled doubts about his ability to win majors.
Shelton, who was barely a year old when the last American man won a Grand Slam, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam and two in one year. What you’re doing is incredible—the way you serve and move. You work harder than anyone I know and spend more hours on court.
You and your team do things the right way, and I’m sincerely happy for you. I’m just getting started and I’ll be back here again." Former British No. 1 Tim Henman praised Zverev’s evolution, noting, "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable. I was looking at his Grand Slam results and they were declining, but he transformed into a more aggressive player.
He’s beaten Shelton five times in a row, and while Shelton tried to change the narrative, Zverev looked completely comfortable." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli highlighted the experience gap: "The difference in their experience was massive. In the first game, Ben won the toss, chose to serve, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and then double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break. It’s not easy to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd and feel the pressure to please them.
Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making Shelton’s life very difficult. There’s no shame in losing to Zverev when he’s playing at this level." Fans can stream tennis without a contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast live from The O2 in London from 25‑27 September on Sky Sports.