Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed, extinguished American hopes on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to capture his first US Open crown. The German displayed superior form, overcoming the eighth‑seeded American 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the iconic hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
Having already added a French Open title to his résumé earlier in the year, Zverev now boasts two Grand Slam victories. The match concluded in an odd fashion: on championship point Shelton’s return sailed long, yet Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, returned the ball toward the opposite baseline as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the stadium screen did he realize he had already secured the championship. Zverev’s career achievements now read: two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals championships, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 singles titles and a stint as world No. 1 – with many speculating a return to the top spot may be imminent.
In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev reflected on his family’s long‑standing struggle at the Grand Slam level, noting, "It feels like the Zverev family has endured so much at majors that perhaps 2026 is the year we finally get to enjoy the moment. Everything is falling into place and I’m unbelievably happy." He added, "If three months ago someone had told me I’d win a single Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed that paper without hesitation. To now hold two major trophies within months is simply surreal." When asked about his confusion on championship point, Zverev laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1.
I knew I’d broken him twice, but I believed he’d held serve once. I was planning a relaxed service game followed by a tighter one on the next point. It turned out to be lucky for me!" He also remarked on a common coaching mantra – to focus on each point and ignore the scoreboard – saying that, in this case, forgetting the score actually helped him.
Shelton entered the final with historic aspirations: he could have become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and only the second Black man ever to claim a major after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 triumph. The crowd of roughly 23,000, gathered in the stadium named for 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 caught on camera with the match clock displaying a mere 0.07 seconds. Zverev’s path to the final was physically demanding, totalling 19 hours and 38 minutes on court – the fourth‑longest cumulative duration for a player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991.
He started the championship match aggressively, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton struggled to generate break opportunities in the first two sets, while Zverev, playing as the No.
1 seed at a major for the first time, relied heavily on his powerful serve to keep the American at bay. Historically, Shelton had lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev and entered New York without a victory over either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz – both of whom he finally defeated during the tournament, fueling optimism ahead of the final. Freed from the label of "the best player never to win a major" after his French Open success, Zverev seized the second‑set tiebreak, moving within a single set of the title. Shelton rallied in the third, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to force a deciding set.
However, Zverev’s momentum proved decisive; after a brief dip in his service game, he broke early in the fourth set and never looked back. Zverev’s trademark ball‑bouncing, which accounted for roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours of play this fortnight, eventually led to a time‑violation warning. Meanwhile, Shelton’s girlfriend, U.S.
women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat by travelling 200 miles from a Washington football pitch to Queens in time to join him in his box, though her presence could not alter the outcome. The German clinched his second major and first US Open title in three hours and 33 minutes, then paused to soak in the moment before celebrating. He dedicated his victory primarily 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 sporting prospects, my mother insisted he could be anything he wanted.
Her strength has been the backbone of my career," Zverev said. He also praised Shelton, stating, "Ben, you’re an incredible talent and person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I have no doubt you’ll 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 record now stands 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and cementing his status as one of the sport’s most resilient figures after years of doubt about ever capturing a major. Shelton, still young and still awaiting an American male champion’s breakthrough, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on two Grand Slams in a year. Your serving and movement are phenomenal, you work harder than anyone I know, and you deserve this title. I’m just getting started and will be back." Former British No.
1 Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports, highlighted Zverev’s transformation: "His game was regressing in Grand Slams a year ago, but he’s become more aggressive and now looks comfortable against anyone, including Shelton, who he’s beaten five times consecutively." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli added, "The experience gap was massive. Shelton won the toss, served, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break. It’s tough to debut a Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd, but Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making it extremely hard for Shelton. Losing to a player performing at this level is no shame." Fans can continue to follow tennis without a contract via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, which will also broadcast the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September.