Alexander Zverev, the top seed, shattered the hopes of American fans on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to secure his first US Open championship. 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 crown earlier in the season. The match ended in a bizarre fashion: on match point, Shelton's return sailed long, but Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, hit the ball back across the net as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the scoreboard on the giant screen did he realise he had already won the championship. Zverev's achievements now read: two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 tour‑level singles titles and a stint as world No. 1.
He hinted that 2026 could be the year he finally enjoys the fruits of his labor, saying to Sky Sports Tennis, "Everything is going perfectly. I am unbelievably happy." He reflected on his earlier mindset, noting that three months prior he would have been content with just one Grand Slam in his career.
"Now standing here with two Grand Slam trophies in the space of a few months is incredible," he said. When asked about his 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 thinking, 'Okay, I'm going to have a relaxed service game here and then I'll get tight on the next one.' It was lucky for me!" Shelton entered the final with a historic mission: become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and only the second Black man to capture a major after Arthur Ashe in 1975. He was welcomed by a rapturous crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators in the stadium named for Ashe. Among the celebrity spectators were Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and Pierce Brosnan, the latter caught on camera with the match clock flashing a mere 0.07 seconds remaining.
Zverev's path to the final was grueling. He logged 19 hours and 38 minutes of court time en route to Flushing Meadows, the fourth‑longest total for any player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991. He started the final emphatically, breaking Shelton's serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton struggled to generate any break points in the first two sets, while 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 finally broken through against elite opponents, defeating both Stefanos Tsitsipas and, most notably, Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in his career. Those victories had given him confidence heading into the championship match.
After a solid first set, Zverev seized the second‑set tiebreak, propelling himself within a single set of the title. Shelton rallied in the third, producing three break points and eventually converting the second to claim the set 7‑5, briefly reviving his hopes.
However, Zverev's momentum proved too great. He broke early in the fourth set and, despite a brief lapse that led to a ball‑bouncing time‑violation (statistics show he spent roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court this fortnight bouncing the ball between serves), he closed out the match in 3 hours 33 minutes. Off the court, Shelton's girlfriend Trinity Rodman performed a logistical feat, traveling roughly 200 miles from a football pitch in Washington to Queens to watch the final from her partner's box.
Unfortunately for her, Zverev's composure held firm, and the German celebrated his second Grand Slam and first New York title after a short pause to absorb the moment. 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 tell you life and sport will be very limited, it takes a very strong mother to say, 'My son will be whatever he wants to be,'" Zverev said. He praised his mother as the strongest person he knows, emphasizing that her determination helped him overcome the disease.
Zverev also lauded Shelton, declaring, "Ben, you're an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final but I already told you you're going to be back here 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 win over a top‑10 opponent, and cementing his status as a two‑time Grand Slam champion in 2026. Shelton, still young and hungry, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on your second Grand Slam title in one year.
What you're doing is incredible – your serve, your movement. You work harder than anyone I know and spend more hours on court than anyone else. You and your team do 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 praised Zverev's perseverance and evolution over the past twelve months, noting that his game had previously regressed at Grand Slam events but now displayed a more aggressive, confident style. Henman highlighted Zverev's five‑straight victories over Shelton and his ability to settle after breaking Shelton's serve early in the fourth set.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli echoed the sentiment, pointing out the stark experience gap between the two finalists. She recalled how Shelton, after winning the toss, served into a 30‑30 tie, missed an easy shot and then double‑faulted, handing Zverev the first break. Bartoli emphasized that playing a first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd adds pressure, but Zverev's near‑flawless play – only one unforced error in the opening set – made it exceedingly difficult for Shelton. Overall, Zverev's victory not only adds a prestigious US Open crown to his collection but also signals a new chapter in his career, shedding the label of "best player never to win a major." His blend of power, mental resilience, and the unwavering support of his family and team have propelled him to the summit of the sport, while Shelton's breakthrough run promises an exciting future for American tennis.