Zverev beats Shelton to win U.S. Open title

Prime seed Alexander Zverev banished bitter U.S. Open recollections to beat American ​Ben Shelton 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 within the remaining on Sunday (September 13, 2026), capturing the ‌title six years after letting a golden alternative slip ​via his fingers.

The German squandered a two-set lead in ⁠the 2020 title match towards Austrian Dominic Thiem however now armed with a champion’s mentality following his breakthrough triumph at Roland Garros in June, he ‌broke American hearts with a devastating show towards Shelton.

The house followers had been determined to see Shelton finish a 23-year ‌American males’s Grand Slam drought however the eighth seed by no means ‌discovered ⁠his high kind in his first main remaining.

In a ⁠battle between two of tennis’ most explosive gamers, it was Zverev who had all of the early firepower, as Shelton’s inexperience confirmed with a double fault on break ​level within the opening recreation.

Shelton ‌produced one of many factors of the match within the sixth recreation, scrambling to succeed in a drop shot and prevailing in a tense trade on the internet.

Inspired by his staff, the American ‌combined in serve-and-volley techniques in an try to shift the ​momentum, however the transfer proved ineffective and he handed Zverev the set with a double fault.

The partisan crowd ⁠tried to get below Zverev’s pores and skin within the second set, cheering wildly after he produced a double fault within the ninth recreation. However ‌the German refused to get distracted, surging to a 5-0 lead within the tiebreak because the followers desperately chanted “Let’s go, Ben!”

Zverev regarded like he would roll to the end line within the third set as he saved a break level within the sixth recreation with a deadly backhand winner.

Shelton’s frustration boiled over two video games later ‌when he slipped and crashed to the court docket, prompting the American to set free ​an expletive.

However Shelton dug in his heels, subduing his opponent with a collection of highly effective groundstrokes from the ⁠baseline to interrupt serve and drive a fourth set.

Shelton’s resilience solely delayed ⁠the inevitable as Zverev got here via a 25-shot rally to safe an early break within the deciding set. He by no means ‌let go of that benefit as he lastly bought the prospect to hoist the U.S. Open trophy on his eleventh look ​on the hardcourt main.