Zverev Defeats Shelton at US Open, Continues American Men's Title Drought

NEW YORK - Alexander Zverev secured his second Grand Slam title of the year by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final, thus extending the drought for American men in Grand Slam tournaments to over 23 years since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open victory.

A crowd of 24,000 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, predominantly cheering for Shelton, left disappointed as the gap since Roddick's triumph continues to grow, totaling 8,407 days since he won the title. Shelton was born nearly 11 months after Roddick's historic win.

Zverev highlighted the significance of his victory, stating, "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title; now we won two in the span of three months," referring to German men's tennis history and his own recent success. He expressed appreciation for the atmosphere despite the crowd's preferences, saying, "You guys brought the energy and noise."

Shelton aimed to become the first left-handed American man to win the US Open since Rafael Nadal, marking a potential milestone for American tennis.

In a pivotal fourth set, Zverev broke Shelton twice, ultimately forcing an unforced error that sealed the match. "I thought it was 5-1," Zverev remarked about his confusion at match point, noting the intensity of the past few weeks.

Despite the loss, Shelton will rise to a career-high ranking of No. 4, attempting to change the narrative around American men's tennis. He had a standout tournament, notably defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a four-hour and 28-minute quarterfinal match.

Zverev, the top seed, effectively countered Shelton’s powerful serves, often reaching his shots with his height and reach. While Shelton delivered 20 aces in his semifinal match, he managed only 10 against Zverev.

The match featured a closely contested second set that went to a tiebreak, where Shelton fell behind early and ultimately lost momentum. The third set mirrored the intensity, leading to another tiebreak where Shelton finally broke through to take a set.

Zverev's victory showcased his growth, especially following difficulties in earlier rounds. He hadn't dropped a set in the tournament after those first two matches.

Following the match, Shelton expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout the tournament, emphasizing the commitment from his team and family. "I appreciate you guys. I'm just getting started. I'll be back here again," he promised.

With this win, Zverev is the first player since 2024 to secure two Grand Slam titles in the same year.