Top‑seed Alexander Zverev put an end to American hopes on Sunday, overcoming Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to capture his first US Open crown. The German displayed superior play, defeating the eighth‑seeded American 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the iconic hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
Having already lifted the French Open trophy earlier in the season, Zverev added a New York title to his résumé. The match concluded in an unusual fashion: Shelton’s return on match 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 stadium screen did he realize he had already clinched the championship. Zverev’s résumé now boasts 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 wondering if he will return to the top spot soon. In post‑match remarks to 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,” he said. “Maybe 2026 is the year we finally get to enjoy it.
Everything is falling into place and I’m unbelievably happy.” He added that just three months earlier, the idea of winning more than one major in his career would have seemed a distant dream. “If someone had told me I’d win a single Grand Slam and nothing else, I would have signed that paper without hesitation. To stand here with two majors in such a short span is incredible.” When asked about his momentary 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 once. I was planning a relaxed service game followed by a tighter one. It was lucky for me!
Coaches always say to play each point and ignore the score – I ignored it and it actually helped.” Shelton entered the final with the chance 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 historic 1975 victory. He was greeted by a rapturous crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators, many of whom were seated in the stadium named for Ashe.
The star‑studded audience included actors Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock ticking down to just 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 cumulative time for a finalist 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 previously broken Zverev’s serve in a Grand Slam final, struggled to generate break opportunities in the first two sets as Zverev’s powerful serve kept him at bay.
Prior to this match, Shelton had lost all five of his head‑to‑head meetings with Zverev. Yet he arrived in New York having finally recorded wins over both Stefanos Tsitsipas and, most notably, Carlos Alcaraz – victories that had fueled optimism ahead of the championship. However, Zverev, now free from the label of “the best player never to win a major” after his Roland Garros triumph, dominated the second‑set tiebreak, moving within striking distance of the title.
Shelton fought back admirably in the third set, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to claim the set 7‑5. Nevertheless, Zverev’s momentum proved too strong. In the fourth set, he broke early and never looked back, sealing the match in just over three and a half hours.
Throughout the fortnight, Zverev’s habit of bouncing the ball between serves was so frequent that it eventually resulted in a time‑violation warning. Off the court, Shelton’s girlfriend, U.S.
women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat, traveling roughly 200 miles from a Washington, D.C., football pitch to Queens in time to join him in his box – only to watch Zverev close out the match. After the victory, 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 say his athletic prospects are limited, it takes a 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. My mother is the strongest person I know; she made sure this illness never dictated our lives.” He also commended Shelton, stating, “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 record now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favor, marking his 26th career title and 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent. After years of doubt about his ability to win a major, Zverev closed 2026 with two Grand Slam crowns.
Shelton, still young and hungry, responded with optimism: “Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam and two in one year. Your serve and movement are amazing; you work harder than anyone I know.
You and your team are doing everything right, and I’m sincerely happy for you. This is just the beginning for me – I’ll be back.” Former British No.
1 Tim Henman praised Zverev’s evolution, noting that his game had regressed in previous Grand Slams but transformed into a more aggressive style over the past year. He highlighted Zverev’s five‑straight wins over Shelton and emphasized how the German’s composure after breaking Shelton’s serve in the fourth set allowed him to coast to victory. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli underscored the experience gap, recalling Shelton’s shaky start: “Ben won the toss, served, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break.
It’s hard to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd and feel the pressure to entertain. Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making it extremely difficult for Ben.” The match was broadcast worldwide, with streaming available on the NOW platform and Sky Sports App, and the Laver Cup scheduled for later in September at The O2 in London.