Alexander Zverev shattered Ben Shelton’s American dream, winning his first US Open title

Alexander Zverev finally conquered New York. The German shattered Ben Shelton’s American dream by beating the 23-year-old 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to claim his first US Open title and second Grand Slam in 2026.

For Zverev, the significance of the moment was too much to process. When a forehand error from Shelton ended the match, the German barely reacted. He stood still, seemingly unaware that the wait was finally over. It wasn’t until the deafening roar from Arthur Ashe Stadium washed over him that the magnitude of his achievement seemed to sink in.

Zverev then raised both arms in jubilation and finally allowed himself to celebrate the title that had eluded him for so long.

Highlights from the 2026 US Open men’s singles final

There was redemption in the triumph. Six years ago, Zverev was two sets away from winning his first Grand Slam title at the same tournament, only to relinquish his advantage against Dominic Thiem to lose the 2020 US Open final in five sets.

This time, history threatened to repeat itself as Shelton fought back to take the third set. But Zverev refused to let another opportunity slip away.

Meanwhile, Shelton was chasing his own history. The American was bidding to become the first American since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam singles title. Instead, it was Zverev who put his name in the record books.

Zverev became the first German man to win the US Open since Boris Becker in 1989. He also improved his record against Shelton to 6-0 for his 26th career title and 60th victory against a Top-10 opponent.

After years of questioning whether he would ever win a Grand Slam, Zverev ends 2026 with two major titles.

ZVEREV SETS THE TONE

Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in the final. Courtesy: Reuters

Zverev got off to a blistering start to the final, immediately putting Shelton under pressure with his aggressive baseline play and relentless depth.

The German attacked from the opening exchanges and almost immediately forced Shelton into errors. The American was twice betrayed by a forehand in the opening game, although he responded with an ace and a superb forehand volley to show that you don’t just overcome a forehand.

However, Zverev remained on the front foot. A double fault by Shelton gave him an early break and the Germans started exactly as he wanted.

He consolidated his advantage in emphatic fashion, producing a thunderous forehand smash and another strong winner before finishing with a superb forehand volley. Suddenly, Zverev took a 2-0 lead.

Shelton settled and held comfortably, but Zverev continued to dictate the pace. The German was particularly effective in keeping the American deep behind the baseline, denying him the opportunity to unleash his biggest weapons freely.

At 3-2, Zverev faced his first real test as he fell behind 0-30. He responded with composure, producing a forehand volley and an ace to escape danger.

Tlak finally said again. Zverev was broken at 5-3 as Shelton’s backhand began to fail him, and another double fault from the American brought the opening set to an end.

Zverev had the first shot. He led 6-3 and looked to be in control.

SHELTON REFUSES TO GO SILENTLY

Zverev had to go through a tie-break to win the second set. Courtesy: Reuters

The second set told a completely different story.

Shelton made Zverev work significantly harder, repeatedly denying the German the same rhythm he enjoyed in the opening set. The American served with more authority and matched Zverev’s aggression in longer exchanges.

Shelton survived a huge scare at 30-40 in the fourth game to save a break after Zverev failed to capitalize. He then built a massive hold at 3-3, recovered from 40-0 down to deuce before finally ending the game with a powerful forehand smash.

Zverev continued to press but was unable to shake Shelton. At 4-3, the German was again forced to dig deep as the game went to deuces. He held his nerve to move to 5-4, but Shelton responded immediately to tie it at 5-5.

The set inevitably went to a tie-break.

This was where Zverev produced his most brutal tennis of the evening.

He raced out to a 5-0 lead, finding a forehand winner and a brilliant backhand winner as Shelton struggled to keep pace. The American managed to get two points back, but Zverev stayed level and closed the tie-break at 7-2.

Shelton pushed him hard the entire set. Zverev responded by playing his best tennis when the pressure was on.

Two sets down, the American needed something special.

SHELTON FINDS A WAY BACK

Ben Shelton came back to win the third set. Courtesy: Reuters

And for a while, Shelton found just that.

The American refused to let the final slip away. The third set began with renewed aggression, confidently holding serve and matching Zverev’s power from the baseline.

Zverev still looked dangerous, but Shelton was now looking for ways to disrupt his rhythm. At 3-3, he created his first chance to break the match and put the German under real pressure.

Zverev responded with a brilliant backhand winner to save the chance and finally escape. However, Shelton took confidence from finally creating an opening.

The American continued to fight back as the set entered the deciding phase.

With Zverev serving at 5-4, Shelton held his own to tie the game at 5-5. Suddenly it was the German who felt the pressure.

Shelton then took advantage of his opportunity. He raced to 0:40, won three set points and brought Zverev to the brink of surrendering a set for the first time in their rivalry.

He missed the first chance with a forehand error, but Zverev couldn’t escape. The German sent a forehand volley wide and Shelton finally came through.

The American won the third set 7:5.

After four previous meetings with Zverev without winning a set, Shelton finally broke through.

The comeback was lively.

ZVEREV BRINGS A CHAMPION’S ANSWER

Zverev earned two breaks of serve in the fourth set. Courtesy: Reuters

But Zverev did not allow history to repeat itself this time.

The German came out on fire in the fourth set and immediately attacked Shelton’s serve. The American saved one break point with a brilliant forehand volley, but Zverev refused to let the opportunity slip away.

On the next chance, Shelton cracked and sent a backhand wide.

Zverev had a break.

The German immediately consolidated and produced a superb backhand volley winner to move to 2-0. Shelton continued to fight and managed to stay within range, but Zverev was now dictating the terms again.

The American held to reduce the deficit but Zverev responded with another authoritative service game. Shelton’s mistakes began to creep back into his game and allowed the German to maintain his advantage.

At 4:2, Zverev delivered the decisive blow.

Shelton’s delivery suddenly left him. Three consecutive errors gave Zverev three break points at 15:40 and another backhand error completed the second break.

At 5-2, Zverev was one match away from the championship.

The German briefly stumbled with a double fault while serving for the title after Shelton opened the game with a forehand error. But the response was immediate – a huge ace followed by a blistering forehand winner.

Zverev reached a championship point. Then came the moment he had dreamed of for years. Shelton sent his forehand wide. Zverev did it.

He stood there for a moment before reality finally hit him. The German raised both hands as Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted around him.

The US Open title that once seemed so painfully out of reach was finally his.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

14 Sep 2026 04:00 IST