In the US Open final, Alexander Zverev defeated American player Ben Shelton, securing his second Grand Slam title with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2. The match, held on Arthur Ashe Stadium, saw Zverev, the top seed from Germany, effectively utilize his experience against the 23-year-old Shelton, who was aiming to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
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Zverev had previously won his first major title at the French Open earlier in 2026, and his path to this victory was aided by the absence of rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who were both sidelined due to injuries. Zverev, 29, began the season facing doubts regarding his ability to win major titles, but he capitalized on the opportunity presented by his competitors’ misfortunes.
Shelton started the match poorly, double-faulting in the first games, which allowed Zverev to take control early on. Zverev won the first set convincingly and maintained pressure throughout the second set, eventually taking it in a tie-break. After a more competitive third set, where Shelton finally broke Zverev's serve, Zverev quickly regained command in the fourth set, closing out the match.
Upon realizing his victory, Zverev shared his joy with his team, highlighting how far they have come in a short time. He reflected on the hard work and pain endured over the years and stated, “We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now won two in the span of three months.”
Despite the loss, Shelton's progression to his first Grand Slam final marks a significant achievement in his career, coming off a tough season with mixed results in major tournaments. He had prior success at the Canadian Open and surprising wins, including defeating Alcaraz in a dramatic quarter-final that finished at 3:34 AM. Shelton acknowledged the sting of the loss, admitting he made too many errors at crucial moments. He expressed optimism about his progress and readiness to continue competing at the highest level.