Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Zverev Quells Shelton Fightback to Win US Open Crown
Alexander Zverev won the men's US Open tennis final.
He beat Ben Shelton in four sets.
Zverev won the first two sets, but Shelton fought back and took the third.
Zverev then broke Shelton's serve at the start of the fourth set and finished the match 6-2.
This was Zverev's first US Open championship.
It was also his second major title of 2026 after he won the French Open.
Shelton was playing in his first major final and had strong support from the crowd.
American men still have not won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open.
The articles differ on whether Arthur Ashe's relevant title was in 1968 or 1975.
Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final.
The victory gave Zverev his first US Open title and second Grand Slam championship of 2026.
Shelton rallied to win the third set, but Zverev broke immediately in the fourth and regained control.
Zverev's win redeemed his 2020 US Open final loss after he surrendered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem.
The result extended the wait for an American men's Grand Slam champion beyond Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open victory.
- Who
- Germany's top-seeded Alexander Zverev defeated American eighth seed Ben Shelton.
- What
- Zverev won the US Open men's singles final in four sets, earning his first US Open title and second Grand Slam of 2026.
- When
- Sunday, September 13, 2026.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows in New York.
- Why
- Zverev controlled the opening two sets, contained Shelton's third-set comeback and broke early in the fourth set.
Zverev's Championship
Shelton's American Challenge
Match momentum
Zverev's Championship
Zverev controlled the first two sets, won the second-set tiebreak 7-2 and regained command after Shelton's third-set comeback.
Shelton's American Challenge
Shelton overcame a difficult start, broke Zverev late in the third set and won the set 7-5 before losing the fourth.
Crowd expectations
Zverev's Championship
Zverev said he remained focused despite a crowd largely supporting Shelton and described the atmosphere as fair.
Shelton's American Challenge
Shelton received strong backing from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, which hoped to see an American man win his first Grand Slam since 2003.
Historical significance
Zverev's Championship
Zverev's victory redeemed his 2020 US Open final loss and added a second major title to his breakthrough 2026 season.
Shelton's American Challenge
Shelton was seeking his first major title, an American men's US Open championship and a historic title for a Black American player.
- Final score
- Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.
- Match duration
- Three hours and 33 minutes.
- Zverev's 2026 results
- He won the French Open, reached the Wimbledon final and won the US Open.
- Shelton's run
- The 23-year-old reached his first major final after defeating Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe.
- Prize money
- Zverev received a reported $5.5 million winner's prize.
- American men's drought
- The articles state that an American man has not won a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open victory.
- Zverev's previous US Open final
- He lost the 2020 final to Dominic Thiem after leading by two sets.
- Historical discrepancy
- The articles give conflicting dates for Arthur Ashe's relevant title: 1968 and 1975.
Sources
German Star Player Alexander Zverev Denies American Fairytale, Beats Ben Shelton To Win US Open Title
Alexander Zverev wins US Open final, beats Ben Shelton for second Grand Slam of 2026 in four-set thriller
Six years after a near miss, Zverev gets his moment with US Open crown after Shelton showdown
Zverev quells Shelton's fightback to win US Open
US Open 2026: Zverev trumps local boy Shelton for maiden title at Flushing Meadows
Alexander Zverev defeats Ben Shelton to win US Open title, keeps American wait alive
