Zverev clinches US Open crown after Shelton battle

Germany’s Alexander Zverev has finally conquered the US Open, defeating American Ben Shelton in a thrilling four-set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium to claim his second Grand Slam title of 2026.

The top seed produced a composed performance to overcome Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 5-7, 6-2, denying the home favourite a historic triumph in New York.

Zverev made the perfect start, taking the opening set 6-3 before edging a closely contested second-set tiebreak. Shelton refused to surrender, fighting back to take the third set 7-5 and briefly putting pressure on the German.

But Zverev responded strongly in the fourth set. He regained control of the match and closed it out 6-2, securing his maiden US Open championship.

The victory carries particular significance for the 29-year-old, who had suffered a painful defeat in the 2020 US Open final after surrendering a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem. Six years later, Zverev finally lifted the trophy in New York.

The title also completes a remarkable Grand Slam season for Zverev. He won his first major at the French Open earlier this year and has now added the US Open, making 2026 a breakthrough season on tennis’s biggest stages.

Shelton, meanwhile, leaves New York with plenty to celebrate despite the defeat. The American reached his first Grand Slam final and carried the hopes of a home crowd hoping to see a US men’s champion emerge for the first time since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory.

Zverev’s victory therefore ended both his long wait for a US Open crown and Shelton’s bid to create history on home soil.

For the German star, however, the night was ultimately about redemption. After years of coming close at Grand Slam tournaments, Zverev has now turned 2026 into the defining season of his career.