Alexander Zverev, the top seed, delivered a decisive performance on Sunday, ending Ben Shelton's quest for a historic US Open title and securing his first championship at Flushing Meadows. The German star overpowered the eighth‑seeded American in a four‑set showdown, winning 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 to claim the trophy. This triumph adds a New York crown to Zverev’s impressive résumé, which already includes a French Open win earlier in the season.
The final featured a bizarre climax: on match point, Shelton’s return sailed long, and Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, struck the ball back across the court as if another rally were about to begin. Only after glancing at the scoreboard on the giant screen did he realise he had already clinched the match.
Zverev’s career accolades now read: two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 singles titles and a brief stint at world No. 1 – with many speculating that a return to the top spot is imminent.
In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev reflected on the emotional journey his family has endured at the sport’s biggest stages. "There has been so much suffering for the Zverev family at Grand Slam level, maybe 2026 is the year we should just enjoy," he said, smiling. "Everything is going perfectly.
I am unbelievably happy." He added, "Three months ago, if someone told me I would win only one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed that paper straight away and never questioned it. To stand here with two Grand Slam trophies within a few months is simply incredible." 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 thinking, ‘Okay, I’ll have a relaxed service game here and then I’ll tighten up on the next one.’ It was lucky for me!" He also noted a piece of tennis wisdom: "Coaches always tell you to play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" Shelton entered the final with a historic mission: to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph, and only the second Black male champion after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 victory.
The crowd of 23,000, gathered in the stadium named for Ashe, gave him a thunderous welcome. The audience included Hollywood heavyweights such as Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock flashing a dramatic 0.07 seconds. Zverev’s path to the final was grueling – he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court, the fourth‑longest total for any player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991. He started the final strongly, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance.
Shelton, who had never broken Zverev’s serve in their previous five meetings, struggled to generate break opportunities in the first two sets. Zverev, seeded No. 1 at a major for the first time, wielded his powerful serve to keep the American at bay. Although Shelton had never beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz before this tournament, his run in New York gave him confidence heading into the final.
Yet Zverev, now free from the label of "the best player never to win a major" after his French Open success, seized control in the second‑set tiebreak, moving within touching distance of the championship. Shelton fought back valiantly in the third set, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to level the match at 2‑2 in sets.
However, Zverev’s momentum proved too strong. After a brief dip in his service game, he broke early in the fourth set and never looked back. Throughout the fortnight, Zverev’s habit of bouncing the ball between serves was evident – statistics show he spent roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court bouncing the ball, eventually leading to a time‑violation warning.
Off the court, Shelton’s girlfriend, US women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat, traveling 200 miles from a Washington football field to Queens in time to join him in his box. Unfortunately for her, the trip did not change the outcome as Zverev secured his second Grand Slam title after a three‑hour‑and‑33‑minute battle. In his victory speech, 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 his life and sports will be limited, it takes a very strong mother to say, ‘My son will be whatever he wants to be,’" Zverev said. "If he wants to be a tennis player, he’ll be a tennis player. This illness will not define us. My mother is the strongest person I know." He also praised Shelton, stating, "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." Zverev now leads their head‑to‑head 6‑0, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
After years of speculation about his ability to win a major, he closed 2026 with two Grand Slam crowns. Shelton, still young and hungry, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam and two in one year. What you’re doing is incredible – your serve, your movement.
You work harder than anyone I know. 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." Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, speaking for Sky Sports Tennis, highlighted Zverev’s resurgence: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable.
I was looking back at his Grand Slam results and his game was going backwards, but he transformed himself into a more aggressive player. He’s beaten Shelton five times in a row, and Shelton had to change the narrative, but Zverev looked comfortable." Marion Bartoli, also from Sky Sports, emphasized the experience gap: "The difference in their experience was massive.
In the first game, Shelton won the toss, served, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break. It’s not easy to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd. 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 like this." Fans can continue to follow tennis action without a contract on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, with upcoming events like the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September available live on Sky Sports.