Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed, shattered the aspirations of the United States on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set showdown to secure 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 in the championship match at Flushing Meadows.
Having already captured the French Open title earlier in the season, Zverev added the New York trophy to his résumé in a dramatic fashion. On championship point, Shelton's return sailed long, but Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended the match, sent the ball back across the net as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the arena’s big screen did he realize he had already clinched the title. Zverev’s résumé now boasts two Grand Slam crowns, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 titles, 26 singles titles overall and a brief stint as world number one.
He hinted that 2026 could be a year of enjoyment after years of near‑misses at the sport’s biggest stages. "Everything is going perfectly. I am unbelievably happy," he told Sky Sports Tennis.
He reflected that just three months earlier he would have been content with a single Grand Slam, yet here he stood with two in a matter of months. When asked about the confusion on championship point, Zverev laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1. I knew I had broken him twice, but I thought he only held once.
I was planning a relaxed service game and then to get tight on the next one. It was lucky for me!" He added that the old tennis maxim – "play each point and forget the score" – had inadvertently saved him.
Shelton entered the final with historic stakes. He was aiming to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph and only the second Black male champion after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 victory.
The crowd of 23,000, gathered in a stadium named after Ashe, greeted him with thunderous applause. Among the spectators were Hollywood names such as Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, the latter captured on camera with the match clock flashing a mere 0.07 seconds. The road to the final had been grueling for both competitors. Zverev logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court throughout the tournament – the fourth‑longest total for a player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991 – yet he started the championship match with a burst of intensity.
He broke Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton, who had never previously beaten Zverev in five attempts, also entered New York without a win over either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz, two of the sport’s biggest stars.
Nonetheless, his run to the final had been impressive, fueling optimism for a potential breakthrough. Free from the burden of being labeled the "best player never to win a major" after his French Open success, Zverev seized control of the second‑set tiebreak, moving within striking distance of the title.
Shelton fought back valiantly, creating three break‑point opportunities in the third set when Zverev’s serve briefly faltered. The American converted the second of those chances, forcing a decisive third set, but Zverev’s experience shone through.
In the fourth set, Zverev broke early and never looked back. His trademark habit of bouncing the ball between serves – a ritual that accounted for roughly three hours of his total court time during the fortnight – even resulted in a time‑violation warning, but it did not disrupt his rhythm. Off‑court drama added a human touch to the narrative. Shelton’s girlfriend, USWNT star Trinity Rodman, undertook a 200‑mile journey from a Washington football pitch to Queens, arriving just in time to join him in his box.
Unfortunately for her, Zverev’s composure prevailed, and the German celebrated his second Grand Slam triumph after three hours and 33 minutes of play. 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,’" Zverev said. He lauded his mother as the strongest person he knows, emphasizing that her resolve helped him overcome the condition.
Zverev also praised Shelton, noting, "Ben, you're an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I 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 now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and a remarkable turnaround after years of doubt about ever winning a major. Shelton, still young and hungry, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam title 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 you spend more hours on court than anyone else. You and your team are doing things the right way, and I’m sincerely happy for you. To New York, you drove me here today.
I’m just getting started and I’ll be back again." Former British No.1 Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, highlighted Zverev’s evolution: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable. His Grand Slam results were slipping, but he transformed into a more aggressive player. He had beaten Shelton five times in a row, and Shelton had to change the narrative, but Zverev looked comfortable throughout." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli added, "The experience gap was massive.
In the first game, Shelton won the toss, served, 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 entertain. Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making it extremely difficult for Shelton.
There’s no shame in losing to Zverev when he’s playing like this." The match was broadcast worldwide, with viewers encouraged to use Chrome for the best video experience. Fans can also follow upcoming events such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 via the Sky Sports app or NOW streaming platform.