Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed, delivered a decisive performance on Sunday, overcoming Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to secure his first US Open crown. The German champion outplayed the eighth‑seeded American, winning 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the iconic courts of Flushing Meadows.
Zverev’s triumph adds a New York title to an already impressive résumé that includes a French Open win earlier in the season. The climax of the match featured a bizarre moment: Shelton’s return on championship point sailed long, yet Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, struck 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 championship.
His achievements now read: two Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 tour titles and a brief stint as world No. 1.
The German 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." Zverev reflected on his earlier mindset, recalling that just three months prior he would have gladly signed a contract guaranteeing only one Grand Slam in his career. "Now, standing here with two majors in a matter of months, it's surreal," he added. When asked about his confusion on the final point, he laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1.
I knew I had broken him twice, but I assumed he held only once. I was planning a relaxed service game, then a tighter one. It was lucky for me!" He also noted a common coaching mantra – to focus on each point and ignore the scoreboard – and admitted that momentarily forgetting the score actually helped him.
Shelton entered the match with historic stakes. He was poised to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory, and only the second Black male champion after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 triumph.
The atmosphere in the stadium, named after Ashe, was electric, with a crowd of roughly 23,000 cheering loudly. Celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and Pierce Brosnan were spotted in the stands, the latter receiving a cheeky camera shot that displayed the match clock at a mere 0.07 seconds. The road to the final had been grueling for both competitors. Zverev had logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court throughout the tournament – the fourth‑longest total for a player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991 – yet he started the championship match with authority.
He broke Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton, who had never previously defeated Zverev in their five meetings, also entered New York without a win over either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz – two of the sport’s current powerhouses.
His run to the final, however, had given him confidence and momentum. In the first set, Zverev’s powerful serve kept Shelton at bay, preventing any break‑point opportunities. The German’s serving prowess, combined with his aggressive baseline play, allowed him to close the set 6‑3.
The second set progressed to a tiebreak, where Zverev’s composure shone through; he captured the breaker 7‑2, moving within one set of the title. Shelton fought back in the third, breaking Zverev’s serve and converting two set points to claim the set 7‑5, briefly reviving hopes of an upset. Yet Zverev’s resilience resurfaced in the fourth. After an early break, he held serve comfortably and, despite a brief dip in his service rhythm that gave Shelton a chance to press, Zverev sealed the set 6‑2 and the match.
Statistically, Zverev’s habit of bouncing the ball between serves was evident – he spent roughly three hours of his total court time this fortnight bouncing, a routine that eventually resulted in a time‑violation warning. Off‑court drama added another layer to the narrative.
Shelton’s girlfriend, USWNT star Trinity Rodman, undertook a 200‑mile journey from a football pitch in Washington to Queens, arriving just in time to join him in his box. Unfortunately for her, the trip coincided with Zverev’s decisive moments, and she watched as the German secured his second Grand Slam. After the victory, Zverev paid heartfelt tribute to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who helped him manage his type‑1 diabetes diagnosis at age four. He praised her strength, saying, "It takes an unbelievably strong woman to defy doctors who said his life in sport would be limited.
My mother never let the illness define us." He also expressed admiration for Shelton, stating, "Ben, you're an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I already know 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 now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title and his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent.
After years of speculation about whether he could capture a major, Zverev closed 2026 with two Grand Slam crowns. Shelton, still youthful and hungry, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on your second Grand Slam this year.
Your serving 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 praised Zverev’s evolution, noting that a year ago his Grand Slam results were declining, but he has transformed into a more aggressive player. Henman highlighted Zverev’s mental edge, especially after breaking Shelton’s serve early in the fourth set, which allowed the German to coast to the finish line. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli emphasized the experience gap, pointing out Shelton’s early missteps – a double fault on his first service game – and how Zverev’s near‑flawless play (only one unforced error in the opening set) made it extremely difficult for the American to gain traction.
"There’s no shame in losing to Zverev when he’s playing like this," she concluded. The match was broadcast worldwide, with viewers encouraged to use Chrome for optimal video playback. Fans can also stream tennis without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which will feature upcoming events such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September.