Alexander Zverev has finally conquered New York. The German shattered Ben Shelton’s American dream, defeating the 23-year-old 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to win his maiden US Open title and second Grand Slam of 2026.
For Zverev, the significance of the moment was almost too much to process. When Shelton’s forehand error ended the match, the German barely reacted. He stood still, seemingly unaware that the wait was finally over. It was only when the deafening roar from Arthur Ashe Stadium washed over him that the magnitude of his achievement appeared to sink in.
Zverev then raised both arms in jubilation, finally allowing himself to celebrate a title that had eluded him for so long.
US Open 2026 men’s singles final Highlights
There was redemption in the triumph. Six years ago, Zverev had been two sets away from winning his first Grand Slam title at the same tournament, only to surrender his advantage against Dominic Thiem and lose the 2020 US Open final in five sets.
This time, history threatened to repeat itself when Shelton fought back to take the third set. But Zverev refused to let another opportunity disappear.
Shelton, meanwhile, was chasing history of his own. The American was bidding to become the first US man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam singles title. Instead, it was Zverev who wrote his name into the record books.
Zverev became the first man from Germany to win the US Open since Boris Becker in 1989. He also improved his record against Shelton to 6-0, claimed his 26th career title and recorded his 60th victory against a Top-10 opponent.
After years of questions over whether he would ever win a Grand Slam, Zverev ends 2026 with two major titles.
ZVEREV SETS THE TONE
Zverev made a blistering start to the final, immediately putting Shelton under pressure with his aggressive baseline game and relentless depth.
The German attacked from the opening exchanges and forced Shelton into errors almost immediately. The American’s forehand betrayed him twice in the opening game, although he responded with an ace and a superb forehand volley to show that he would not simply be overpowered.
Zverev, however, stayed on the front foot. A double fault from Shelton handed him the early break, giving the German precisely the start he wanted.
He consolidated the advantage in emphatic fashion, producing a thunderous forehand smash and another powerful winner before finishing with a superb forehand volley. Suddenly, Zverev had raced into a 2-0 lead.
Shelton settled down and held comfortably, but Zverev continued to dictate the tempo. The German was particularly effective at keeping the American deep behind the baseline, denying him the opportunity to unleash his biggest weapons freely.
At 3-2, Zverev faced his first real test when he fell 0-30 behind. He responded with composure, producing a forehand volley and an ace to escape the danger.
The pressure eventually told again. Zverev broke at 5-3 as Shelton’s backhand began to let him down, and another double fault from the American brought the opening set to a close.
Zverev had the first blow. He led 6-3 and looked firmly in control.
SHELTON REFUSES TO GO QUIETLY
The second set told a very different story.
Shelton made Zverev work considerably harder, repeatedly refusing to allow the German to establish the same rhythm he had enjoyed in the opening set. The American served with greater authority and matched Zverev’s aggression in the longer exchanges.
Shelton survived a huge scare at 30-40 in the fourth game, saving a break point after Zverev failed to capitalise. He then produced a massive hold at 3-3, recovering from 40-0 to reach deuce before eventually closing out the game with a thumping forehand smash.
Zverev continued to apply pressure but could not shake Shelton off. At 4-3, the German was again forced to dig deep as the game went to deuce. He held his nerve to move 5-4 ahead, but Shelton responded immediately to level at 5-5.
The set inevitably headed towards a tie-break.
That was where Zverev produced his most ruthless tennis of the night.
He raced into a 5-0 lead, finding a forehand winner and a superb backhand winner while Shelton struggled to keep pace. The American managed to claw back two points, but Zverev remained composed and closed out the tie-break 7-2.
Shelton had pushed him hard for an entire set. Zverev had responded by producing his best tennis when the pressure was greatest.
Two sets down, the American needed something special.
SHELTON FINDS A WAY BACK
And for a while, Shelton found exactly that.
The American refused to allow the final to slip away. He began the third set with renewed aggression, holding serve confidently and matching Zverev’s power from the baseline.
Zverev still looked dangerous, but Shelton was now finding ways to disrupt his rhythm. At 3-3, he created his first break-point opportunity of the match, putting the German under genuine pressure.
Zverev responded with a brilliant backhand winner to save the chance and eventually escaped. Shelton, however, took confidence from the fact that he had finally created an opening.
The American continued to fight as the set entered its decisive stages.
With Zverev serving at 5-4, Shelton held to love to level at 5-5. Suddenly, the German was the one feeling the pressure.
Shelton then seized his opportunity. He raced to 0-40, earning three set points and putting Zverev on the brink of surrendering a set for the first time in their rivalry.
He missed the first chance with a forehand error, but Zverev could not escape. The German sent a forehand volley wide, and Shelton finally had his breakthrough.
The American took the third set 7-5.
After four previous meetings with Zverev without winning a set, Shelton had finally broken through.
The comeback was alive.
ZVEREV DELIVERS THE CHAMPION’S RESPONSE
But this time, Zverev did not allow history to repeat itself.
The German came out firing in the fourth set and immediately attacked Shelton’s serve. The American saved one break point with a brilliant forehand volley, but Zverev refused to let the opportunity disappear.
At the next chance, Shelton cracked, sending a backhand wide.
Zverev had his break.
The German consolidated immediately, producing a superb backhand volley winner as he moved 2-0 ahead. Shelton continued to fight and managed to stay within reach, but Zverev was now dictating the terms again.
The American held to reduce the deficit, but Zverev responded with another authoritative service game. Shelton’s errors began to creep back into his game, allowing the German to maintain his advantage.
At 4-2, Zverev delivered the decisive blow.
Shelton’s serve suddenly deserted him. Three consecutive errors handed Zverev three break points at 15-40, and another backhand mistake completed the second break.
At 5-2, Zverev was one game away from the championship.
Serving for the title, the German briefly stumbled with a double fault after Shelton had opened the game with a forehand error. But the response was immediate — an enormous ace, followed by a thumping forehand winner.
Zverev reached championship point. Then came the moment he had dreamed about for years. Shelton sent his forehand wide. Zverev had done it.
He stood still for a moment before the reality finally hit him. The German raised both arms as Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted around him.
The US Open title, which had once seemed so painfully out of reach, was finally his.
– Ends
