Zverev defeats Shelton to claim maiden US Open title

Top seed Alexander Zverev held off a spirited third-set comeback from home favorite Ben Shelton to secure his second Grand Slam title of the year with a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory in the men’s singles final at the 2026 US Open.

The 29-year-old German, who broke his major title drought at Roland Garros earlier in the season, silenced a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd over three hours and 37 minutes of intense baseline battle and explosive serving.

Following the victory, Zverev becomes the first German man to hoist the trophy in New York since Boris Becker in 1989, while denying Shelton’s bid to become the first American man to capture a major singles title since Andy Roddick’s triumph in 2003.

Two-time Grand Slam champion 🏆🏆

After falling short in the 2020 final, Zverev finally gets his New York moment. pic.twitter.com/EFGNST6QzN

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2026

Zverev set the tempo from the opening game, using his potent first serve and deep groundstrokes to unsettle the eighth-seeded American.

He then capitalised on early unforced errors from Shelton to break serve in the opening set, coasting to a 6-3 victory in 42 minutes.

Shelton responded in the second set by tightening his service games and utilising his explosive 140mph-plus serves to force a tiebreak.

However, Zverev showed superior composure in the pressure moments, racing to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker before wrapping it up 7-2 to take a commanding two-set lead.

With his back against the wall, the 23-year-old Shelton rallied the home crowd late in the third set. After both men held serve resolutely through ten games, Shelton earned his first break opportunity of the match at 6-5, converting with a laser forehand down the line to claim the third set 7-5 and send the New York crowd into a frenzy.

Hopes of a comeback were swiftly snuffed out by Zverev in the fourth set. Re-establishing control from the baseline, the world no. 1 broke Shelton’s serve in the very first game after a grueling 24-shot rally.

Zverev earned a second break in the seventh game before serving out the match at 5-2, closing out the victory on his second match point to seal his triumph in Flushing Meadows.

With his second Grand Slam victory of 2026, Zverev cements his position at the summit of world tennis, while Shelton enters the top five of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career. (TheCable)