Six years after 2020 heartbreak, Zverev beats Shelton to finally win US Open
Alexander Zverev triumphantly claimed his second Grand Slam title at the US Open, overcoming American contender Ben Shelton in a gritty four-set battle. This prestigious win not only solidified Zverev's comeback from his 2020 US Open final loss but also capped off an extraordinary 2026 season, where he further set records with his remarkable prize money earnings.
After a six-year wait, Alexander Zverev finally claimed the US Open trophy, ending his heartbreaking Grand Slam history. The German defeated American sensation Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in Sunday's final at Flushing Meadows. This victory marked Zverev's second major title of the 2026 season, following his recent win at Roland Garros.
Zverev, who had previously lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem, spoke of the hardships and pain he endured in previous years, crediting them for his success. He admitted that despite the partisan support for Shelton, he appreciated his fair treatment throughout the match.
The home crowd, eager to see a homegrown champion, had been rooting for Shelton to finally break the 23-year drought for an American man to win the US Open. However, Zverev's focus remained unshaken. He capitalized on Shelton's nerves in the opening game by double faulting and held his advantage throughout the first set. The German then dominated the second set, taking control in the tiebreak with a 5-0 lead.
Shelton fought back in the third set, but Zverev refused to crack. The American's breakthrough came when he finally broke Zverev's serve and held his nerve to win the third set 7-5, sending the match into a deciding fourth. Zverev broke Shelton's serve again in the fourth and secured the victory 6-2.
In a surreal moment, Zverev initially misread his win. After Shelton's long return on match point, the German instinctively moved back as if anticipating another serve. Only after the umpire announced, "Game, set and match Zverev" did he realize his triumph. The German raised his arms, embraced Shelton, and thanked his opponent before celebrating his long-awaited victory.
Zverev's triumph erased the painful memory of 2020 when he led Thiem by two sets and nearly won the final. This time, he stayed composed and broke his losing streak. He now boasts a remarkable 25-2 record in Grand Slam matches in 2026, claiming his second title in New York and earning the highest prize in tennis history at $5.5 million. Meanwhile, Shelton left New York with a historic breakthrough, having stunned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarter-final.
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- Zverev wins US Open for second Grand Slam title citizen.co.za
- Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton to capture U.S. Open title japantimes.co.jp
- Watch: Zverev didn’t realise he had won the US Open — until the crowd told him timesofindia.indiatimes.com
