Alexander Zverev Clinches First US Open Title Defeating Ben Shelton in Four Sets

Germany’s Alexander Zverev claimed his first US Open crown on Sunday, overcoming American Ben Shelton in four sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium to secure the second Grand Slam title of his career.

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Six years after losing a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final, the German top seed returned to New York and this time closed out the match, defeating Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday.

Zverev was well aware of the challenge ahead, competing in a US Open final before a stadium crowd eager to witness an American champion once again.

He muted the roars for Ben Shelton for so long that he did not even realise when the match ended, failing to hear the chair umpire’s announcement that the contest was over.

“In that moment I was in the zone, a lot,” Zverev said. “I didn’t hear noise at all. I was in this kind of tunnel where I just didn’t hear anything.”

The German’s victory in New York redeems the painful 2020 defeat, where he squandered a commanding lead in the final.

As a No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, Zverev capitalised on Shelton’s shaky start in his maiden major final, played a near-flawless tiebreaker on serve, and then weathered a comeback attempt in front of a crowd that passionately cheered Shelton on — including girlfriend Trinity Rodman, who travelled from her own soccer match in Washington before the final point.

“I know today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I’m very sorry first of all,” Zverev said during the trophy presentation. “But second, it was an incredible atmosphere to play in. Even though I know that the crowd was against me, the crowd was always incredibly fair.”

Shelton was aiming to become the first American man to win the title since Andy Roddick claimed the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003, and also the first Black player to win the men’s championship since Arthur Ashe in 1968.

“It’s such a cool moment. Walking out on that court today, there’s nothing like it. I’ve never felt anything like that before,” Shelton said.

But Zverev was too accomplished in majors this year and apparently did not even recognise how dominant he was. After hitting a serve winner, he dropped back behind the baseline as though preparing to return. Zverev, who later explained he believed the score was 5-1, eventually realised he had won, raising his arms in celebration.

Zverev’s US Open Triumph Extends His Majals Streak

Zverev improved to 25-2 in major matches this year and earned $5.5 million, matching the prize claimed by women’s champion Elena Rybakina on Saturday as the largest in Grand Slam history.

“You’re one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year,” Shelton told Zverev.

He believed this title would come in 2020 and still maintains it should have. He won the first two sets against Dominic Thiem and moved within two points of victory before becoming the first man to lose a final after leading two sets to love since 1949.

Whatever ghosts remained from that defeat are long gone now.

Zverev also reached the Wimbledon final, falling to Jannik Sinner, and became the No. 1 seed in New York when the top-ranked Sinner withdrew with a knee injury. He made the most of opportunities that arose after Carlos Alcaraz had to sit out two majors and Sinner missed another, following three straight Grand Slam finals played among them in 2025.

“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, and how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” Zverev said, addressing his team.

Shelton had already eliminated the defending champion when he beat No. 2 seed Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal that concluded at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in US Open history.

However, he fell short on Sunday in his bid to become the first man to defeat both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds en route to a US Open title since 1975.

The No. 8 seed dropped to 0-6 against Zverev, winning a set on Sunday for only the second time.

The 23-year-old Shelton is expected to have further opportunities, but Americans who have grown weary of waiting to celebrate a men’s championship wanted it now.

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