Zverev holds off Shelton to win US Open title

Alexander Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton to claim the US Open championship on Sunday, clinching his second Grand Slam title in as many tournaments. The reigning top-seeded German overwhelmed the eighth-seeded Shelton with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-2 victory, ending the American's hopes of becoming the first US man since 2003 to win a Grand Slam title.

Zverev's win erased the painful memory of his 2020 US Open defeat to Dominic Thiem, who prevailed in five sets after trailing by two points. Zverev credited his recent success as the driving force behind his triumph, stating that he believed God had seen his hard work and sacrifices throughout the years. The 23-year-old American, who was a month away from Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open victory, lacked the sharpness that had carried him past Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe in earlier rounds.

Zverev's superior all-court game and unflappable serve proved too much for Shelton, who admitted he made too many errors when he had possession of the ball.