Alexander Zverev wins the US Open, then has a reaction no one saw coming: Watch

Alexander Zverev won the US Open, but it was his reaction that stole the spotlight.

The German beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 he won his first US Open title and second Grand Slam of the year in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. But when Shelton’s forehand went wide of the match point, Zverev barely reacted. He seemed to be returning to the baseline as if preparing for the next point.

For several seconds, Zverev seemed unaware that the match was over. Then he seemed to be awakened by the roar of Arthur Ashe Stadium. He raised both arms and looked toward the crowd as the magnitude of his accomplishment finally sunk in.

Highlights from the 2026 US Open men’s singles final

Zverev reached a championship point. Then came the moment he had dreamed of for years. Shelton wobbled his forehand, sent the ball wide, and Zverev finally had a moment to celebrate. The US Open title that once seemed so painfully out of reach was finally his.

FROM 5-SET BATTLES TO NEW YORK GLORY

Zverev’s road to the title was far from easy. The top seed spent 16 hours and 40 minutes on court to reach the semifinals, including two five-set victories in the opening rounds.

He found his rhythm as the tournament progressed, defeating Karen Khačanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the semifinals to reach his second US Open final, six years after losing to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final.

Awaiting him was Shelton, who was playing in his first Grand Slam final after a stunning run that included a five-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, which ended at 3.33am.

Zverev started the final with authority, taking the first set and the second set tiebreak. Shelton cruised to victory in the third set, but Zverev stayed level and closed out the fourth after three hours and 33 minutes.

His serve was the main weapon, with Zverev hitting 69 percent of his first serves and winning 85 percent of those points.

The win adds another big chapter to Zverev’s career. After winning his first Grand Slam at the French Open this year, he has now added the US Open title.

Six years after the heartbreak of his first US Open final, there was no collapse this time. Just a forehand into the net, a stunned reaction and the realization that the US Open is finally his.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

14 Sep 2026 04:37 IST