Alexander Zverev, the top‑seeded German, 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 match, held on the iconic hard courts of Flushing Meadows, ended 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in Zverev’s favour, underscoring his growing stature on the Grand Slam stage. Having already secured the French Open title earlier in the season, Zverev added a second major to his résumé in New York.
The climax of the final was oddly theatrical: Shelton’s return on championship point sailed long, yet Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had sealed the match, tossed the ball back for another rally. Only after glancing at the arena screen did he realize he had already won the championship. Zverev’s achievements now read like a checklist of elite tennis milestones: two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals crowns, seven Masters 1000 victories, 26 singles titles and a former world No. 1 ranking.
He hinted that 2026 could finally be a year of enjoyment after years of near‑misses at the sport’s biggest events. "I feel like the Zverev family has endured a lot of suffering at Grand Slam level, maybe 2026 is the year we just enjoy it," he told Sky Sports Tennis. "Everything is falling into place, I’m unbelievably happy." Reflecting on his earlier expectations, Zverev added, "Three months ago, if someone had told me I’d win only one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed the paper without hesitation.
To stand here with two majors in a few months is surreal." When asked about his momentary confusion on the championship point, he laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1. I knew I’d broken him twice but assumed he’d held once. I was planning a relaxed service game and then to get tight on the next.
It was lucky for me!" He also noted a common coaching mantra – to play each point without obsessing over the score – which inadvertently helped him in that bewildering instant. Shelton entered the final with a historic mission: to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and only the second Black male champion after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 triumph.
He was welcomed by a roaring crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators, many of whom were gathered in the stadium named after Ashe. Among the celebrity attendees were Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, the latter captured on camera with the match clock displaying a dramatic 0.07 seconds. The German’s path to the final was grueling – he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court, the fourth‑longest cumulative time for a finalist since 1991.
Yet he began the championship match emphatically, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton, the eighth seed, struggled to generate break points in the first two sets as Zverev, playing as the No. 1 seed at a major for the first time, leveraged his powerful serve to keep the American at bay. Prior to this encounter, Shelton had lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev and had yet to defeat either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz – milestones he finally achieved during this tournament, fueling his confidence heading into the final.
Zverev, now shedding the label of "the best player never to win a major" after his Roland Garros success, swept the second‑set tiebreak, moving within striking distance of the title. Shelton fought back valiantly in the third set, creating three break opportunities and eventually converting the second to force a decider. However, the German’s momentum proved too strong; an early break in the fourth set sealed the match.
Statistics highlighted Zverev’s meticulous routine: he spent roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court bouncing the ball between serves, a habit that ultimately resulted in a time‑violation warning. Meanwhile, Shelton’s partner, U.S.
women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat by traveling 200 miles from a Washington football field to Queens in time to join him in his box, though the effort proved futile as Zverev clinched his second Grand Slam in just three hours and 33 minutes. In the post‑match interview, Zverev offered heartfelt gratitude to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who refused to let his type‑1 diabetes define his future. "When a four‑year‑old is diagnosed with diabetes and doctors say his life and sport will be limited, it takes a strong mother to say ‘my son will be whatever he wants.’" He praised her resilience, noting that her support was instrumental in overcoming the condition. Zverev also praised Shelton, saying, "Ben, you’re an incredible player and an incredible person.
This was your first Grand Slam final, but I’ve told you before 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 favour, marking his 26th career title and 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent. After years of doubt about his ability to capture a major, Zverev closed 2026 with two Grand Slam crowns.
Shelton, reflecting on his performance, said, "Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam and two in one year. Your serve and movement are incredible. You work harder than anyone I know, and you put in 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 lauded Zverev’s transformation, 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 praised the German’s composure after the third set. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli emphasized the experience gap, recalling Shelton’s shaky start: a missed shot and a double‑fault that handed Zverev the first break. She noted that playing a first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd adds pressure, yet Zverev’s near‑flawless play – only one unforced error in the opening set – made it extremely difficult for Shelton. The match was streamed on the Sky Sports app and NOW platform, allowing fans worldwide to witness Zverev’s historic triumph in New York.