Top‑seed Alexander Zverev extinguished the hopes of the United States on Sunday, outlasting Ben Shelton in a four‑set showdown to secure his first US Open crown. The German powerhouse proved too formidable for the eighth‑seeded American, clinching the match 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the famed courts of Flushing Meadows.
Having already captured the French Open title earlier in the season, Zverev added the New York major to his résumé, completing a rare double‑title feat within a single calendar year. The climax was unusually quirky: on championship point Shelton’s return sailed long, yet Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had sealed the match, struck the ball back across the net as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the giant scoreboard did he realise he was already champion. Zverev’s growing trophy cabinet now boasts two Grand Slam championships, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 titles and a total of 26 singles titles overall. The German, who has previously held the world No.
1 ranking, hinted that a return to the top spot could be on the horizon. In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev reflected on the emotional journey his family has endured at the highest level of the sport. "There has been so much hardship for the Zverev family at Grand Slam events that perhaps 2026 is the year we should just enjoy it," he said. "Everything is falling into place and I’m unbelievably happy." He added, "If three months ago someone had told me I’d win only one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed the contract immediately and never questioned it.
To stand here with two major trophies within months of each other is simply incredible." When asked about his momentary confusion on the championship point, Zverev laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1! I knew I’d broken him twice, but I believed he’d only held serve once. I was planning a relaxed service game and then to tighten up on the next.
It turned out to be lucky for me!" He also noted a common coaching mantra: "Coaches always tell you to play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it actually helped me!" Shelton entered the final with the prospect of becoming the first American male to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph, and only the second Black man ever to achieve the feat after Arthur Ashe in 1975. The 23,000‑strong crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium greeted him with thunderous applause, underscoring the historic weight of his appearance.
Among the celebrity spectators were actors Brad Pitt and Rami Malek, as well as James Bond alumnus Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock displaying a mere 0.07 seconds remaining. 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 any player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991. He began 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, seeded No.
1 at a major for the first time, leveraged his powerful serve to keep the American at bay. Prior to this encounter, Shelton had lost all five of their previous meetings and had never defeated either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz—both of whom he finally overcame earlier in the New York event, fueling optimism heading into the final. After shedding the label of "the best player never to win a major" with his French Open triumph, Zverev dominated the second‑set tiebreak, moving within striking distance of the title.
Shelton fought back valiantly, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to claim the third set, but Zverev’s momentum proved decisive. In the fourth set, Zverev broke early and never looked back, capitalising on the fatigue and injury concerns that have plagued rivals Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner throughout the season. His habit of bouncing the ball between serves—statistically amounting to roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court—eventually led to a time‑violation warning.
Shelton’s partner, U.S. women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat by travelling 200 miles from a Washington football field to Queens in time to sit in his box, though the effort proved futile as Zverev secured the championship in three hours and 33 minutes. Following his 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 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’ll be a tennis player. My mother is the strongest person I know." 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." Zverev now leads their head‑to‑head 6‑0, marking his 26th career title and his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent. After years of doubt about ever capturing a major, he ends the 2026 season with two Grand Slam crowns. Shelton, who was less than a year old the last time an American man won a major, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam and two in one year.
Your serve and movement are incredible. You work harder than anyone I know. 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, "His perseverance and the way his game has improved over the last twelve months is remarkable. He transformed into a more aggressive player and, looking back, his Grand Slam results were slipping before this resurgence." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli highlighted the experience gap, observing, "The difference in their experience 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 not easy to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd, but Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making it extremely difficult for Shelton." Fans can stream tennis without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast live from The O2 in London from 25‑27 September on Sky Sports.