Alexander Zverev held off Ben Shelton to win the US Open on Sunday, capturing the second Grand Slam title of his career just months after winning the French Open.
The top-seeded German beat back a late surge from Shelton to win 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-2, ending the eighth seed’s bid to become the first American man in 23 years to win a Grand Slam.
Zverev’s win also erased the memory of his 2020 US Open final defeat, when he was two points from the title before losing to Dominic Thiem in five sets. It took six years, and two further major final defeats, before he finally broke through this season.
“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” Zverev said at the trophy presentation.
A Tense Match On Arthur Ashe
Shelton, 23, was one month shy of his first birthday when Andy Roddick lifted the 2003 US Open trophy — the last major title won by an American man.
Hopes were high that Shelton, backed by a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, could end that drought after a five-set quarter-final win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and a comeback semi-final victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
Zverev broke serve in the opening game and dictated much of the match from both wings. He took the first two sets, the second via tiebreak after racing to a 5-0 lead.
Shelton rallied in the third, breaking Zverev’s serve during a 24-shot rally that finally forced a fourth set, but Zverev responded immediately, breaking back and closing out the match 6-2 in the fourth.
“I know that 99.9% of people wanted Ben to win, so I’m sorry,” Zverev said. “It was an incredible atmosphere to play in.” He told another online news outlet, ESPN, afterwards that the length of the tournament had left him briefly losing track of the score as the win sank in.
Zverev Eyes World Number One Spot
Zverev had followed his French Open win with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, but laboured through two five-set matches at the start of this US Open before finding his form.
At 29 and now ranked second in the world, he has a chance to challenge for the top ranking while Italian Jannik Sinner remains sidelined by a knee injury.
Shelton, gracious in defeat, praised his opponent during the trophy presentation.
"What you're doing is incredible… You work harder than anyone I know. You put more hours on the court than anyone I know… I’m sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title,” he said.
Despite the loss, Shelton’s run through Alcaraz and Tiafoe marks him as one of the sport’s rising contenders heading into next season, even as the wait for an American men's Grand Slam champion continues.
