Top‑seed Alexander Zverev put an end to American hopes on Sunday, defeating Ben Shelton in four sets 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 in the championship match at Flushing Meadows. Having already added a French Open title to his résumé earlier in the season, Zverev now boasts two Grand Slam victories in a single year.
The match concluded in an odd fashion: Shelton’s return on match point sailed long, yet Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended the contest, swung the ball back across the net as if another game were about to begin. Only after glancing at the scoreboard did he realize he had already clinched the championship. Zverev’s career achievements now include two Grand Slam crowns, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals titles, seven Masters 1000 trophies, 26 singles titles and a stint as world No.
1 – with many speculating that a return to the top ranking is imminent. 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 suffering for the Zverev family at Grand Slam events that perhaps 2026 is the year we finally get to enjoy it," he said.
"Everything is falling into place and I’m unbelievably happy." He added, "Three months ago, if someone told me I would win only one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed that paper without hesitation. To stand here with two major trophies within a few months is simply incredible." When asked about his confusion on the championship point, Zverev admitted, "I thought the score was 5‑1.
I knew I had broken him twice, but I believed he had 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 noted a common coaching mantra: "Coaches always say, ‘play each point and forget the score.’ Well, I forgot the score and it actually helped me." Shelton entered the final with the possibility 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’s 1975 triumph.
He received a thunderous welcome from a partisan crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Among the celebrities in attendance 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. 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. The American struggled to generate break opportunities in the first two sets, while Zverev, playing as the world No.
1 seed for the first time at a major, leveraged his powerful serve to keep Shelton at bay. Prior to this encounter, Shelton had lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev.
He also arrived in New York without having ever beaten either Stefanos Tsitsipas or, more notably, Carlos Alcaraz – victories he achieved earlier in 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 dominated the second‑set tiebreak, moving within striking distance of the title.
Shelton fought back valiantly, creating three break points and converting the second to level the match at 5‑5 in the third set, after Zverev’s serve briefly faltered. However, Zverev’s experience and composure proved decisive, and he broke early in the fourth set to seal the championship.
Throughout the fortnight, Zverev’s habit of bouncing the ball between serves was notable – statistics show he spent roughly three hours of his total court time engaged in this ritual, eventually leading to a time‑violation warning. On the personal side, Shelton’s girlfriend, U.S.
women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, made a remarkable 200‑mile journey from a football pitch in Washington to Queens, arriving just in time to join him in his box. Unfortunately for her, Zverev’s composure held firm, and he claimed his second major title in a 3‑hour‑33‑minute victory.
After the win, Zverev offered heartfelt gratitude to his mother, Irina, a former professional tennis 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 sports prospects are 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. If he chooses something else, he’ll do it, but the illness will not define us. My mother is the strongest person I know." He also praised Shelton, stating, "Ben, you’re an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I 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 record 6‑0, marking his 26th career title and 60th win over a top‑10 opponent. After years of doubt about ever capturing a major, he finishes 2026 with two Grand Slam victories. Shelton, whose last American male champion was over two decades ago, 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.
To New York, you drove me here today. I’m just getting started and I’ll be back." Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, highlighted Zverev’s transformation: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable. His Grand Slam results were slipping, but he became more aggressive and, looking back, he’s beaten Shelton five times in a row.
Shelton tried to change the narrative, but Zverev looked comfortable throughout." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli added, "The experience gap was massive. In the first game, Shelton won the toss, served, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and double‑faulted, giving Zverev the opening break. It’s not easy 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 Shelton. There’s no shame in losing to Zverev when he’s playing like this." Fans can continue to follow tennis without a contract on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, with live coverage of events such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 available on Sky Sports.