Alexander Zverev Claims US Open Title by Defeating Ben Shelton in Final
Alexander Zverev (Germany) won the US Open on Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton in four sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium, securing his first US Open title and second Grand Slam trophy of his career.
Six years after losing a two-set lead in the 2020 final against Dominic Thiem, Zverev returned to New York and this time finished the job, beating Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2.
Zverev understood the challenge he faced: a US Open final in a stadium packed with fans eager to see a new American champion.
He was so focused that he initially didn’t realize he had won, not hearing the umpire’s announcement of the match conclusion.
"At that moment, I was in a complete trance," Zverev said. "I didn’t hear any noise. It was like being in a tunnel where you hear nothing."
Zverev's victory in New York was a redemption for the painful loss in 2020 when he let a winning match slip away.
Making his debut as the top seed at a Grand Slam, Zverev capitalized on Shelton's nervous start in his first major final, executing a nearly flawless tiebreak on his serve and then holding off his opponent's attempts to come back amid the crowd's roaring support.
"I know that 99.9% of the crowd wanted Ben to win, so I’m really sorry," Zverev said during the trophy ceremony. "But secondly, it was incredible to play. And even though the crowd was against me, they were extremely fair."
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Shelton was aiming to become the first American to win the men's singles title in New York since Andy Roddick in 2003, and the first Black tennis player to win the men's crown since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
"This is an incredible moment. Coming out on this court today is an unmatched feeling. I have never experienced anything like this," Shelton said.
However, Zverev was too strong in this season's Grand Slam tournaments. After a serve that won him an ace, he stepped back behind the baseline as if preparing to receive. Later, Zverev explained that he thought the score was 5-1, but eventually realized he had already won and raised his hands in celebration.
Zverev's Victory at the US Open Extends His Successful Streak in Grand Slam Tournaments
Zverev's record in Grand Slam matches this year improved to 25-2, and his earnings of $5.5 million matched the prize money of the women's tournament champion Elena Rybakina, becoming the largest check in major history.
"You are one of the best tennis players in the world, and this year, perhaps, the best," Shelton said to Zverev.
Zverev believed this title should have been his in 2020 and still acknowledges that he was supposed to win then. In that final against Thiem, he took the first two sets and was two points away from victory, but became the first player since 1949 to lose a two-set lead and lose the final.
Whatever ghosts from that loss remained, they are now gone.
This season, Zverev also reached the Wimbledon final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. He fully capitalized on the opportunity that arose after Carlos Alcaraz missed two Grand Slam tournaments.
"I think God saw how hard we worked, how much we suffered, and I believe 2026 is the result of all the previous years," Zverev said to his team.
Before this, Shelton had eliminated the defending champion by defeating second-seeded Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal that ended at 3:33 AM — the latest match finish in US Open history.
But on Sunday, he failed to become the first player since 1975 to defeat both the first and second seeds on his way to the US Open title.
In their head-to-head meetings, the eighth seed now trails Zverev 0-6, with the set won on Sunday being only his second in their rivalry.
