Top‑seed Alexander Zverev shattered the hopes of the United States on Sunday, overcoming Ben Shelton in a four‑set showdown to capture his first US Open crown. The German displayed superior firepower, dispatching the eighth‑seeded American 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 in the championship match at Flushing Meadows. Having already secured the French Open title earlier in the season, Zverev added the New York trophy to his growing résumé.
The climax was oddly theatrical: Shelton’s return on championship point sailed long, yet 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 scoreboard did he realize he had already clinched the match.
Zverev’s achievements now read: two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 singles titles and a future stint at world No. 1 on the horizon. "I feel like there has been so much suffering for my family at Grand Slam level that maybe 2026 is the year we should just enjoy it," Zverev told Sky Sports Tennis.
"Everything is falling into place. I am unbelievably happy." He added, "Three months ago, if someone had 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 majors in a matter of months is astonishing." When asked about his momentary confusion on championship point, Zverev laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1!
I knew I had broken him twice, but I believed he held only once. I was planning a relaxed service game followed by a tighter one. It was lucky for me!" He reflected on a common tennis mantra: "Coaches say to play each point and forget the score. I forgot the score, and it actually helped me." Shelton entered the final with the dream of becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and only the second Black player to do so after Arthur Ashe in 1975.
He received a thunderous welcome from a crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Among the celebrity spectators were Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock displaying a mere 0.07 seconds. Zverev’s path to the final was grueling: he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court throughout the tournament, the fourth‑longest total for a finalist since 1991. He started the final aggressively, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point to seize early momentum.
The first two sets saw Shelton unable to generate a single break point, as Zverev, the top 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 encounters with Zverev and had never defeated either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz before this event. His run in New York, however, gave him confidence heading into the championship.
After shedding the label of "the best player never to win a major" with his Roland Garros triumph, Zverev dominated the second‑set tiebreak, moving within striking distance of the title. Shelton fought back in the third set, creating three break‑point opportunities and eventually converting the second to level the match at 2‑1 in sets. Nevertheless, the fourth set proved decisive. Zverev broke early, and his relentless ball‑bouncing—statistics show he spent roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court this fortnight bouncing the ball between serves—ultimately led to a time‑violation warning.
Shelton’s girlfriend, USWNT star Trinity Rodman, made a remarkable 200‑mile trek from a Washington football field to Queens to watch the match, only to see Zverev seal his second Grand Slam in a 3‑hour‑33‑minute finale. 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 his life and sport 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 will be a tennis player.
If he wants something else, he will do it, but this illness will not define us. My mother is the strongest person I know." He also lauded Shelton’s character: "Ben, you’re an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I’ve 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." The head‑to‑head now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and his second major of the year—an achievement that seemed impossible just months earlier.
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 and spend 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 praised Zverev’s evolution: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable.
A year ago his Grand Slam results were slipping, but he’s become more aggressive and confident. He’s beaten Shelton five times in a row, and today he looked completely at ease." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli highlighted the experience gap: "The difference in their experience was massive.
In the first game, Ben won the toss, chose to serve, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and then double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break. It’s not easy to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd and feel that pressure. Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making it extremely difficult for Shelton.
There’s no shame in losing to a player performing at that level." Fans can continue to follow tennis without a contract via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, which also offers live coverage of the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September.