Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton to win US Open and end American title hopes

Alexander Zverev has claimed his second Grand Slam championship after defeating Ben Shelton in the US Open final, ending the American's bid to bring the men's singles trophy back to the United States for the first time since 2003.

The German prevailed in a hard-fought final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, using his experience and consistency to overcome Shelton's explosive serving and powerful baseline game.

For Zverev, the victory adds the US Open to the French Open title he won earlier this year and further establishes the 29-year-old among the leading players of his generation.

For Shelton, it was the end of a remarkable breakthrough fortnight that saw him reach his first Grand Slam final.

Zverev Holds Off Shelton's Fightback

Zverev made the stronger start, settling into his methodical game while Shelton struggled to make significant inroads against the German's serve and groundstrokes.

The American gradually found his range, however, becoming more aggressive on return and using his forehand to disrupt Zverev's rhythm.

Shelton pushed the second set into a tiebreak, but Zverev held his nerve to take control of the match and move into a commanding position.

The American refused to disappear.

Shelton raised his level in the third set, using his serve and attacking tennis to put Zverev under increasing pressure. The German, who had appeared in multiple Grand Slam finals before Sunday's contest, was forced to deal with the energy coming from both his opponent and a heavily pro-Shelton crowd.

But Zverev ultimately had enough experience and composure to close out the championship.

The victory gives him his second Grand Slam title, following his French Open triumph earlier this year.

Shelton's Historic US Open Run

Although he fell short in the final, Shelton's tournament represents a major milestone in his career.

The 23-year-old reached his first Grand Slam final after navigating one of the most demanding paths in the men's draw.

His biggest victory came in the quarter-finals against Carlos Alcaraz. Shelton survived a four-hour, 28-minute battle with the two-time US Open champion, finishing the match at approximately 3:33 a.m.

Alcaraz was competing at his first major since suffering a wrist injury and was pushed to the limit by Shelton's relentless athleticism and power.

The American then faced another compatriot, Frances Tiafoe, in the semi-finals and produced another impressive performance, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

That victory guaranteed an all-American presence in the final while giving Shelton the opportunity to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win the US Open.

Roddick remains the last American man to lift the trophy, having defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 final.

A Significant Moment for American Tennis

Shelton's run also carried significance beyond the result.

He was the first Black man to reach the US Open men's singles final since Arthur Ashe, who won the inaugural US Open in the Open Era in 1968.

The achievement generated an enormous response from the New York crowd, with fans travelling from across the United States to support the 23-year-old.

It also capped a strong tournament for American men's tennis, with Shelton and Tiafoe both reaching the semi-finals.

While Shelton could not complete the fairytale finish, his run provided another indication that a new generation of American men's players is capable of competing deep into Grand Slam tournaments.

For Zverev, however, the final belonged to the German.

After surviving the challenge of one of America's brightest young stars, he leaves New York with another major trophy and his second Grand Slam title of 2026.

SportsLigue