Alexander Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in four sets on Sunday to win the US Open men’s singles title in New York.
The German, who won 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2, claimed his second Grand Slam championship and ended a long wait for American men seeking a major title. The victory followed Zverev’s triumph at the French Open earlier in the year, marking his second Grand Slam title in 2026.
Zverev, the top seed at a Grand Slam for the first time, took advantage of Shelton’s shaky start in his first major final. He controlled the opening set before producing a near-flawless performance in the second-set tiebreak, winning it 7-2.
Shelton fought back strongly in the third set, winning 7-5 to raise hopes of a comeback in front of a partisan American crowd.
However, Zverev regained control in the fourth set, breaking down Shelton’s resistance to secure a 6-2 victory and his first US Open crown.
The result also extended the wait for an American male Grand Slam champion to 23 years. The last American man to win a major title was Andy Roddick at the US Open in 2003.
Shelton had been aiming to become the first American man since Roddick to win the US Open and the first Black man to claim the title since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
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Zverev appeared unaware that he had won the championship immediately after the final point. After serving out the match, he initially moved behind the baseline as though preparing to receive before realizing that the contest was over. He then raised his arms in celebration as the significance of the victory sank in.
The normally reserved Zverev became emotional during his post-match comments as he paid tribute to his family and coaching team. “We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and then won two in the span of three months,” he said.
Zverev also thanked his mother for her support after he was diagnosed with diabetes as a child. He recalled how she encouraged him to pursue his ambitions despite concerns about how the condition could affect his sporting career.
“This illness will not define us. I am happy we worked through it and we are doing things that we are doing right now,” he said. Zverev also praised Shelton and predicted that the 23-year-old American would eventually win the tournament.
Shelton was sombre after the defeat but expressed pride in reaching his first Grand Slam final. The 23-year-old American thanked his family for their support throughout his career.
“To do this with my family by my side. These four guys have dedicated their lives to my career. It is an unmatched level of commitment,” Shelton said.
Despite falling short, Shelton’s run to the final represented a significant milestone in his young career, while Zverev’s victory further established him among the leading players of his generation.
Al Jazeera
