Top‑seed Alexander Zverev put an end to American hopes on Sunday, defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set showdown to capture his first US Open crown. The German powerhouse outplayed the eighth‑seeded American, sealing the final 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 at New York’s Flushing Meadows. Having already added a French Open trophy to his résumé earlier in the season, Zverev now boasts two Grand Slam titles in a single year. The match concluded in an odd fashion: Shelton’s return on match point sailed long, and Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, sent the ball back across the net as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the stadium screen did he realise the championship was already his. Zverev’s résumé is already impressive: two Grand Slam victories, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals crowns, seven Masters 1000 titles, 26 singles titles overall and a stint as world No. 1.
He hinted that 2026 could finally 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. "Three months ago, if someone had told me I would win just one Grand Slam, I would have signed the paper without hesitation.
To stand here with two majors in a few months is surreal." When asked about the confusion on championship point, Zverev laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1. I knew I’d broken him twice, but I assumed he’d held once. I was planning a relaxed service game, then a tighter one.
It turned out to be lucky for me! Coaches always say play each point and forget the score – I forgot the score and it helped!" Shelton entered the final with the dream of becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph, and only the second Black man ever to do so after Arthur Ashe’s historic 1975 win. He received a thunderous welcome from a crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators in a stadium that bears Ashe’s name. The audience included Hollywood names such as Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond’s Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock ticking down to just 0.07 seconds.
Zverev’s path to the final was grueling: he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court, the fourth‑longest cumulative time for a player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991. He started the final aggressively, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point to take the first set. Shelton struggled to generate any break points in the opening two sets as Zverev, playing as the No.
1 seed at a major for the first time, used his powerful serve to keep the American at bay. Historically, Shelton had lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev. Yet he arrived in New York having never defeated either Stefanos Tsitsipas or, more prominently, Carlos Alcaraz – victories he secured during this tournament, fueling optimism heading into the championship match.
Free from the stigma of being the "best player never to win a major" after his French Open triumph, Zverev dominated the second‑set tiebreak, pulling within a set of the title. Shelton fought back, creating three break‑point opportunities and eventually converting one to claim the third set, briefly reviving the contest. However, Zverev’s momentum proved decisive; he broke early in the fourth set and never looked back. Zverev’s trademark ball‑bouncing, which occupied roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours of play this fortnight, eventually led to a time‑violation warning.
Meanwhile, Shelton’s partner, U.S. women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat, traveling 200 miles from a Washington football field to Queens to watch the match from her boyfriend’s box – only to see him fall short. The German finally sealed his second Grand Slam title, and his first at the US Open, after a three‑hour‑33‑minute battle. In his post‑match interview, he gave heartfelt thanks to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who refused to let his type‑1 diabetes define his future.
"When doctors told us a four‑year‑old with diabetes would have limited sports options, my mother insisted he could be whatever he wanted. Her strength made all the difference," Zverev said.
He also praised Shelton, saying, "Ben, you’re an incredible player and person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I’ve told you you’ll be back many more times.
If I had to bet, I’d wager you’ll lift this trophy someday." The head‑to‑head record now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title and his 60th win over a top‑10 opponent. After years of speculation about his ability to capture a major, Zverev ends 2026 with two Grand Slam crowns. Shelton, reflecting on the loss, remained optimistic: "Sascha, congratulations on two weeks, two Grand Slams in one year.
Your serve and movement are incredible. You work harder than anyone I know.
You and your team do everything right, and I’m genuinely happy for you. I’m just getting started and will be back here again." Former British No.
1 Tim Henman praised Zverev’s evolution, noting that a year ago his Grand Slam results were declining, but he has become more aggressive and confident. He highlighted Zverev’s five‑straight victories over Shelton and the way the German seemed comfortable throughout the match. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli added that experience was a decisive factor.
She recalled Shelton’s shaky start – losing the first break after a double fault – and emphasized how difficult it is for a young player to perform under the pressure of a home crowd in a first Grand Slam final. "Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making Shelton’s job extremely hard. There’s no shame in losing to a player performing at that level," she said. Fans can continue to follow tennis without a contract through NOW and the Sky Sports app, with upcoming events such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September available live on Sky Sports.