Men’s top seed Alexander Zverev caps breakthrough year with US Open title

Alexander Zverev Claims First US Open Crown After Four-Set Final

Earthguardiansonline.com – Alexander Zverev completed a landmark season on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton to win the US Open men’s singles championship, earning the first title at Flushing Meadows of his career. The German top seed prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 in a gripping final that lasted three hours and 33 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The victory gives the 29-year-old his second Grand Slam trophy of the year and of his career. His first major triumph came at Roland Garros earlier in 2026, and his US Open run leaves him with a 25-2 record in Grand Slam matches this season.

Zverev also collected $5.5 million in prize money, matching the sum awarded to women’s champion Elena Rybakina on Saturday. The payout is the largest ever offered at a Grand Slam event.

A decisive start for the top seed

Rain had affected the New York metropolitan area in the morning, but the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof was open when the finalists entered the court. Zverev settled into the contest quickly, taking a 3-1 advantage in the opening set and maintaining control against Shelton’s powerful serving.

Shelton’s serve has troubled opponents throughout his rise, yet Zverev found ways to blunt its impact and claimed the first set 6-3. The opening exchange established the contrast that would define much of the match: Shelton pressing with pace and energy, Zverev responding with composure and precision from the baseline.

The second set offered a much tighter contest. Shelton, the No. 8 seed, kept pace with Zverev and repeatedly answered the German’s challenges. At one point, frustration surfaced over Zverev’s extended ball-bouncing routine before serves. Zverev had addressed the habit earlier in the tournament, saying it was not something he did intentionally.

Shelton raised the matter with the chair umpire during the final, but no warning or penalty followed. The interruption did little to disrupt Zverev’s focus. Shelton forced a tiebreak, only for the top seed to surge ahead 5-0 before closing it out 7-6 (2).

Shelton fights back as home crowd rallies

Down two sets, Shelton produced his strongest stretch of the afternoon in the third. The 23-year-old American moved in front 4-3 and gave the New York crowd a reason to intensify its support. Zverev resisted, and the pair traded pressure-filled games, but Shelton ultimately took the set 7-5 to prevent the match from ending in straight sets.

The result set up a final-set test for Zverev. With much of the stadium behind Shelton, the momentum appeared to have shifted. Yet the German quickly reasserted himself, breaking the American’s rhythm and taking the fourth set 6-2.

On championship point, Shelton was unable to return Zverev’s serve. For a brief moment, Zverev did not appear to understand that the title was his. Once the realization arrived, he celebrated toward his player box and shouted, “lets go.”

His reaction carried extra weight after the long road to this first US Open championship. The triumph marked a successful conclusion to a year in which he converted his place at the top of the men’s draw into two major titles.

“It was an incredible atmosphere to play in, even though the crowd was against me. You guys brought the energy and noise,” Zverev said.

Though the home support largely favored Shelton, Zverev acknowledged the atmosphere generated during the final and across the two-week tournament. His ability to regain command after losing the third set proved crucial in an arena where every Shelton surge was loudly received.

A near miss for Shelton, but a meaningful run

Shelton entered the final with the chance to end a long American wait in the men’s event. Andy Roddick remains the most recent American man to win the US Open, having done so in 2003. Shelton was also pursuing what would have been the first US Open title by a Black male player since Arthur Ashe won in 1968.

He fell short of those milestones, but the final demonstrated his ability to challenge the world’s leading players on the sport’s biggest stages. His third-set response showed resilience after the disappointment of the tiebreak, and he spoke warmly of the people around him after the match.

“My successes are a gift, my failures are a gift. Playing in front of you guys is a gift,” Shelton told the crowd after the match.

“I have the best support team in the business. To do this with my family by my side, these four guys over here who dedicate their life to my career, spend time travelling the world with me, it’s an unnatural commitment. I appreciate you guys.”

Among those watching was Shelton’s girlfriend, soccer player Trinity Rodman. Rodman had played earlier Sunday for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League and made the trip from Washington, DC, in time to see the end of the final.

Zverev referred to her during the trophy presentation with a playful remark.

“Trinity, I thought you had a game today, no? Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm. … Not today, but usually.”

For Zverev, the title removes the lingering disappointment associated with his earlier US Open near-miss and adds another defining chapter to his 2026 campaign. For Shelton, the loss delays a historic breakthrough, but his performance in New York underlined the scale of his potential in major competition.