NEW YORK — Alexander Zverev finally completed his US Open mission Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton 6–3, 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–2 to win the 2026 US Open men’s singles championship. It is Zverev’s second Grand Slam title, following his French Open triumph earlier this year.
The victory also erased some of the disappointment from Zverev’s 2020 US Open final defeat, when he let a two-set lead slip against Dominic Thiem.
Match Breakdown
Zverev immediately established control with his powerful serve and heavy baseline game, taking the opening set 6–3.
The second set was much tighter. Shelton pushed the German into a tiebreak, but Zverev raised his level at the critical moments and dominated the breaker 7–2 to take a commanding two-set lead.
Shelton refused to go quietly.
The 23-year-old American finally broke through in the third set, winning it 7–5 and forcing the final into a fourth-set battle. It was the first set Zverev had lost to Shelton in their four career meetings.
But Zverev quickly regained control. He broke Shelton’s serve, protected his own service games and closed out the championship 6–2.
Zverev’s Numbers
Zverev finished with:
9 aces
35 winners
85% of first-serve points won
Four-set victory in 3 hours, 37 minutes
His serving and first-strike tennis repeatedly put Shelton under pressure, particularly during the decisive fourth set.
Shelton’s Historic Run
Despite the defeat, Shelton produced a landmark tournament.
The American reached his first Grand Slam final, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals before beating Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. His run also made him the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to reach the US Open final.
Shelton’s powerful serve and aggressive net play gave Zverev problems, particularly in the third set, but his consistency dropped as the match entered its final stages.
Turning Point
The second-set tiebreak proved crucial.
Had Shelton won that set, the match would have been level at one set apiece. Instead, Zverev’s 7–2 tiebreak victory gave him a two-set cushion and forced Shelton to play from behind.
Shelton’s third-set comeback briefly changed the momentum, but Zverev answered immediately in the fourth.
Final Verdict
Alexander Zverev 6–3, 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–2 Ben Shelton
Zverev’s combination of serving power, baseline consistency and composure on the biggest points ultimately proved decisive. The German finished the season’s Grand Slam campaign with two major championships and strengthened his case as one of the dominant players of 2026.
For Shelton, the defeat ends a historic breakthrough tournament—but his first Grand Slam final at only 23 suggests there will be many more opportunities.
Champion: Alexander Zverev 🇩🇪
Runner-up: Ben Shelton 🇺🇸
Score: 6–3, 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–2
Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York
Date: September 13, 2026
Grand Slam title: Zverev’s second
