Zverev caps comeback with US Open triumph over Shelton

Alexander Zverev clinched his first US Open crown on Sunday, beating Ben Shelton 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 in a four‑set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory erased the memory of his 2020 US Open loss and gave the German his second major title after last year’s French Open win.

Why the win matters

The result ends a 23‑year stretch without a US man winning a Grand Slam, a drought that began after Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. Shelton, who entered the final on the back of a dramatic quarter‑final win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and a comeback over Frances Tiafoe, was the tournament’s home‑grown hope. Yet Zverev’s all‑court game proved decisive, especially on serve, where he broke early and never looked back.

After a tight second‑set tiebreak, Shelton rallied in the third, forcing a set win that sparked a brief surge. He even earned a break at 0‑40 in the fourth, but Zverev answered with a 24‑shot rally and a decisive break that sealed the match.

"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 during the trophy presentation.

What comes next

With the US Open now behind him, Zverev will look to build on his momentum at the year‑end ATP Finals. A win could cement his claim to the top spot in the rankings, especially as Jannik Sinner remains out with a knee problem. For Shelton, the loss is a bittersweet finale to a breakthrough run that revived American interest in men’s tennis.

Both players have spoken about the atmosphere, with Zverev apologising to the crowd that overwhelmingly backed the American: "I know that 99.9% of people wanted Ben to win, so I'm sorry." The respect shown by Shelton, who praised Zverev’s work ethic, suggests a rivalry that could define the next few seasons.