New York: Top seed Alexander Zverev banished the painful memories of past U.S. Open disappointments by defeating American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in Sunday’s final to claim the title.
The German, who squandered a two-set lead in the 2020 final against Dominic Thiem, returned to New York with renewed confidence after winning his maiden French Open title at Roland Garros in June and produced a dominant display to deny Shelton in front of a home crowd.
“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered and how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the result of everything that came before,” Zverev said during the trophy presentation.
Fans were hoping Shelton could end a 23-year wait for an American men’s Grand Slam champion, but the eighth seed was unable to produce his best tennis in his first major final.
“I know that today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I’m very sorry,” Zverev said. “Even though I knew the crowd was against me, they were always incredibly fair, and we as players appreciate that.”
So focused was Zverev on the match that he did not immediately realise he had won when Shelton sent a return long on match point.
As the umpire announced, “Game, set and match, Zverev,” the German walked back to the baseline as if preparing for the next point. Only moments later did he realise the match was over, smiling as he ran to the net to embrace Shelton.
He later received a Grand Slam record winner’s prize of $5.5 million.
Strong start
In a contest between two of tennis’s biggest hitters, Zverev made the stronger start. Shelton’s nerves showed early as he double-faulted on break point in the opening game.
The American produced one of the points of the match in the sixth game, chasing down a drop shot before winning a tense exchange at the net.
Encouraged by his team, Shelton attempted to change the momentum by mixing in serve-and-volley tactics, but the strategy failed to pay off, and another double fault handed Zverev the opening set.
A partisan crowd tried to lift Shelton in the second set, erupting after a Zverev double fault in the ninth game. However, the German remained unfazed and raced to a 5-0 lead in the tie-break as chants of “Let’s go, Ben!” echoed around the stadium.
Zverev appeared on course for a straight-sets win in the third set, saving a break point with a superb backhand winner.
Shelton’s frustration boiled over two games later when he slipped and fell heavily to the court, but the American responded impressively, using his powerful groundstrokes to break serve and force a fourth set.
Title sealed on 11th appearance
Shelton’s comeback only delayed the inevitable. Zverev secured an early break in the fourth set after winning a gruelling 25-shot rally and never relinquished control.
The victory finally allowed him to lift the U.S. Open trophy on his 11th appearance at the hard-court major.
“My successes are a gift, my failures are a gift, and being here playing in front of you guys is a gift,” Shelton said.
The 23-year-old also made history as the first Black American man since Arthur Ashe 54 years ago to reach the U.S. Open final.
His girlfriend, Olympic football champion Trinity Rodman, made it to his player’s box after travelling from her Washington Spirit match, which overlapped with the start of the final.
‘Jannik is still ahead’
The title continues a remarkable season for Zverev and helps erase some of the disappointment of previous Grand Slam near misses.
His two major titles this year have also disrupted the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who shared all eight Grand Slam titles between them in 2024 and 2025.
Alcaraz, the Australian Open champion, was beaten by Shelton in the quarter-finals, while Wimbledon champion Sinner withdrew before the tournament because of injury.
Asked whether he now considered himself the world’s best player, Zverev was measured in his response.
“With Jannik Sinner injured and Carlos Alcaraz coming back after four months out, at this moment probably yes,” he said.
“But if both of them are healthy and playing at their best, maybe not.
“If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead. It’s as simple as that.”
