Alexander Zverev secured his second Grand Slam title by defeating Ben Shelton in four sets at the 2026 US Open. The match took place in front of a passionate crowd that supported Shelton, who had already beaten the defending champion to reach the final. Zverev started strongly and took the first two sets 6-3, 7-6 (2), despite a determined effort from Shelton. Shelton cut Zverev’s lead to 5-2 in the second-set tiebreaker, but Zverev closed out that set before eventually winning the match 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2.
The victory gave Zverev his first US Open title and improved his record in Grand Slam matches this year to 25-2. It also gave him two major championships in the same season after he won the French Open in June.
The No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, Zverev capitalized on Shelton’s shaky start and played a nearly flawless tiebreaker on serve, according to CBS News. Zverev’s deliberate playing style helped limit the crowd’s effectiveness, as he bounced the ball a number of times before each serve, creating long stretches of silence. He hit serves clocked at 147 mph and 124 mph that Shelton could not return effectively, according to a report from wcjb.com.
Shelton tried to fight back, diving in an attempt to get a volley back and resting his head on his hands when he could not, ESPN reported. Despite the crowd’s support and a few moments of brilliance from Shelton, Zverev held firm and finished the match on his serve. Zverev did not realize he had won until after the final point, dropping back behind the baseline as if set to return. ESPN reported that Zverev was so focused that he did not hear the chair umpire announce that the match was over.
He said during the trophy presentation that he was sorry for the fans who wanted Shelton to win but added that the atmosphere was incredible. Zverev also reached the final at Wimbledon, where he fell to Jannik Sinner, and became the No. 1 seed in New York after top-ranked Sinner withdrew due to a knee injury. He had previously lost a two-set lead in a Grand Slam final and was aiming for redemption this time around. Sinner withdrew from the US Open because of a right knee injury after winning Wimbledon earlier in the summer.
Zverev’s victory marked his second major title, after winning the French Open earlier in 2026. He lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem after winning the first two sets and coming within two points of the championship. Zverev has said that the 2020 title was one he felt he should have won.
The crowd stood and screamed when Shelton emerged from the tunnel before the match, but he did not give them any reason to keep cheering once play began. Fans chanted ‘USA!’ during the match, showing their support for Shelton, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Shelton had already produced one of the tournament’s biggest moments. He defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the quarterfinals. The match ended at 3:33 a.m. and became the latest finish in US Open history. Shelton then defeated Frances Tiafoe in four sets to reach the final.
Shelton also became the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. The 23-year-old was trying to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003.
Zverev’s performance was a mix of power and precision, especially in his serve, which kept Shelton off balance throughout. He hit a 139 mph serve to close out the second-set tiebreaker before eventually securing his second Grand Slam title in the fourth set. Shelton broke Zverev for the only time in the match to win the third set 7-5, but Zverev immediately broke Shelton at the start of the fourth.
This win was especially meaningful as it came after a difficult period in which he had struggled to maintain consistency at major tournaments. Zverev’s success this year has been marked by his ability to rise in crucial moments, particularly in Grand Slam settings. The victory also ended a long wait for Zverev, who had hoped to claim his second major title earlier in the year.
Despite being the No. 8 seed and having the support of fans, Shelton could not overcome Zverev’s dominance in key moments. The final was a showcase of tennis at its highest level, with both players displaying skill and determination throughout.
Zverev’s win puts him among the elite in men’s tennis and marks a significant milestone in his career. He was so focused on the final point that he initially seemed unaware that the match had ended. Zverev became the fourth man in the Open Era to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same year, joining Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas and Jannik Sinner.
The tournament continued Zverev’s strong Grand Slam season, which included his first major title at the French Open and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon. This victory is a testament to Zverev’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure in major finals.
Zverev earned $5.5 million for winning the championship. That matched the prize received by women’s champion Elena Rybakina and was the largest winner’s payout in Grand Slam history, according to ESPN.
He has now claimed titles at two different Grand Slams and continues to be a top contender for future major events.
IMAGE: Alexander Zverev. Photo: Tatiana from Moscow, Russia / Wikimedia, taken 2015-05-19, CC BY-SA 2.0