Zverev claims second Grand Slam title of the year with US Open win over Shelton

Alexander Zverev completed a remarkable season by beating home favourite Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final in New York. It marks Zverev's second major title of the year, following his breakthrough win at the French Open earlier in the season.

The 29-year-old German entered 2026 facing doubts about whether he would ever win one of tennis's biggest prizes, having already lost three Grand Slam finals in his career. However, injuries to his main rivals opened the door: Carlos Alcaraz missed the French Open and Wimbledon, while Jannik Sinner was unable to play the US Open. With the pair having dominated majors throughout 2024 and 2025, their absences gave Zverev room to capitalise.

Eighth seed Shelton, hoping to become the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003, lost his serve in the opening game of the final, setting the tone for the first two sets, which Zverev controlled. Shelton fought back in the third set, breaking Zverev's serve to win it in front of around 24,000 home fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but Zverev regained control early in the fourth set to seal victory.

Zverev had never previously dropped a set against Shelton across five prior meetings, and again took advantage of a nervy start from his opponent, who double-faulted on break point in the first game. Speaking afterwards to his team, led by his father Alexander senior and brother Mischa, Zverev noted that after 30 years without a Grand Slam title, he had now won two within the span of three months.