Favorite Alexander Zverev, but Ben Shelton has the American dream firmly in his sights

ByTech Word News

Alexander Zverev will enter the US Open final as a firm favourite, but Ben Shelton has something much stronger on his side than rankings and head-to-head numbers: belief.

The top-seeded German has already made 2026 the best season of his career. His triumph at the French Open in June brought him his first Grand Slam title and he followed it up by reaching the Wimbledon final. Now, after returning to the US Open championship match for the second time, Zverev has the chance to make another remarkable year better by adding another Grand Slam trophy to his collection.

Standing in his way is a 23-year-old American who has been turning self-confidence into conviction for the past fortnight.

Shelton enters Sunday’s finale after beating Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an emotionally charged All-American semifinal. The victory made him the first black American to reach the US Open men’s singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He is also the first American to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2003.

ZVEREV TURNS SHOCKING START INTO TITLE CHARGE

It’s easy to forget how close Zverev was to an early exit.

The German needed five sets to get past Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round and was pushed again by Quentin Halys in the second. After two matches, the world number two already spent a huge amount of time on the court and looked vulnerable.

But since then, Zverev has looked like a different player.

He hasn’t dropped a set in his last four matches and has previously been beating opponents with increasing authority defeated Karen Khačanov 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6) in the semi-finals. His ability to stay composed throughout two deciding tie-break sets underscored the maturity that has developed in his game this season.

The numbers underline his consistency. Zverev reached his third Grand Slam final in a row and his sixth overall by lifting the French Open trophy this year. He’s also undefeated in five matches with Shelton, though that record comes with an important caveat: none of those matches were at a Grand Slam.

For a player who once suffered the pain of losing in the 2020 US Open final in straight sets, it’s another opportunity to rewrite his Flushing Meadows story.

SHELTON’S WIN AT ALCARAZ CHANGED BELIEF

If experience is Zverev’s strength, Shelton’s greatest weapon may be the confidence that flows through him.

The American arrived in New York as a dangerous player, but his five-set victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz changed the look of his tournament. Shelton has never beaten a player of Alcaraz’s caliber at a Grand Slam and has battled the best in the sport before.

He changed this story in a spectacular way.

Shelton defeated the Spaniard in a match that ended at 3:33 a.m. for one of the biggest wins of his career. He used his enormous serve, aggressive forehand and willingness to step up to repeatedly disrupt Alcaraz’s rhythm. The win did more than send him to the semifinals — it convinced Shelton that he belonged on the biggest stage.

This belief was evident against Tiafoe.

After losing the opening set 4-6, Shelton did not panic. Instead, he raised his level, attacking the return and repeatedly putting pressure on his compatriot. Even as the match tightened in the fourth set, Shelton showed immense nerve to close it out 7-5 and book his first Grand Slam final.

Now he has the chance to complete the biggest breakthrough of his career.

A HISTORICAL AMERICAN DREAM AWAITS

Shelton brings more than his own ambitions to the finale.

A victory would make him the first American to win a Grand Slam singles title since Roddick’s US Open triumph in 2003. He would also become the first black American to win a Grand Slam singles title since Arthur Ashe.

That history will inevitably form part of the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

But Shelton has repeatedly shown he can handle the weight of expectation. He survived a five-set battle deep into the night against Alcaraz. Against Tiafoe, he bounced back from an opening-set loss and dealt with the emotional intensity of an All-American semifinal.

The pressure will be greater against Zverev, but so will the opportunity.

Shelton’s road to the finals was also anything but straightforward. Before facing Alcaraz, he had already defeated several established opponents, including Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He arrived in New York fresh from winning the title in Montreal and became one of the most dangerous players in the tournament.

ZVEREV HAS THE NUMBERS, SHELTON HAS THE MOMENTUM

On paper, Zverev favors the final.

The German is 5-0 over Shelton in their career meetings and has lost just one set against him. He has also been through this situation before, playing in the grand finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments.

However, history will not win Sunday’s final.

Shelton is a significantly more well-rounded and confident player than the one Zverev has faced in previous meetings. His serve can earn him cheap points, his athleticism allows him to defend from difficult positions and his willingness to attack the net gives him another dimension.

Zverev, meanwhile, will look to use his superior experience, powerful first serve and tough baseline game to prevent Shelton from dictating.

The German has already conquered one Grand Slam this year. He is now one win away from making 2026 the defining season of his career.

Shelton is one win away from something potentially even bigger: a first Grand Slam title, an American revival and a place in history alongside Arthur Ashe.

The favorite is clear. The dream belongs to Shelton.

Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton Head-to-Head

Overall

Matches – 5, Alexander Zverev – 5, Ben Shelton – 0

Road to the finals

Alexander Zverev

  • Round 1: Lorenzo Sonego – 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4
  • Round 2: Quentin Halys – 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-7(3), 6-3
  • Round 3: Alejandro Tabilo — 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2
  • Round 4: Luciano Darderi – 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3)
  • Quarterfinals: Botic van de Zandschulp – 6-2, 7-5, 6-1
  • Semifinals: Karen Khachanov — 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6)

Ben Shelton

  • Round 1: Tallon Greek Spoor — 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2
  • 2nd round: Hubert Hurkacz — 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5
  • Round 3: Denis Shapovalov — 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
  • Round 4: Stefanos Tsitsipas – 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
  • Quarterfinals: Carlos Alcaraz – 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7)
  • Semifinals: Frances Tiafoe – 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5

When to watch US Open 2026 men’s singles final?

The US Open 2026 men’s singles final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton will not start until 16:00 local time (September 12), 01:30 IST (September 13).

Where to watch the 2026 US Open men’s singles final?

Star Sports Network has telecast rights for US Open Men’s Singles Final 2026. Live streaming of the matches will be available on JioHotstar.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

13 Sep 2026 08:41 IST