Alexander Zverev Finally Gets His US Open Crown! German Beats Ben Shelton in Four Sets
Alexander Zverev is the 2026 US Open men's singles champion. The German finally conquered Flushing Meadows, defeating American Ben Shelton in four sets to claim his first US Open crown and his second Grand Slam title of the season.
Zverev prevailed 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium final, recovering from a third-set setback to close out one of the biggest victories of his career. The top seed maintained his composure when Shelton fought back and produced the response needed to finish the championship match.
Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to become the 2026 US Open men's singles champion.
Zverev Finally Has His US Open Moment
For Zverev, this victory carries extra significance. He had already reached the US Open final once before, in 2020, but that championship match ended in heartbreak after he surrendered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem.
Six years later, Zverev returned to the biggest stage in New York and this time completed the job. His victory gives him his first US Open trophy and adds another major title to a breakthrough 2026 season.
Earlier this year, Zverev captured the French Open, meaning he now owns two Grand Slam titles in the same season.
How the Final Unfolded
Zverev made the stronger start and took the opening set 6-3. Shelton had the home crowd behind him, but the German controlled the important exchanges and established an early advantage.
The second set became much tighter. Neither player could create enough separation before Zverev took control of the tie-break, winning it 7-2 to move within one set of the championship.
Shelton refused to disappear. The American produced his best response in the third set, taking it 7-5 and forcing the final into a fourth set.
But Zverev immediately regained control. He closed out the fourth set 6-2, ending Shelton's comeback hopes and sealing the biggest hard-court title of his career.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton: Final Score
| Player | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Zverev | 6 | 7(7) | 5 | 6 | Winner |
| Ben Shelton | 3 | 6(2) | 7 | 2 | Runner-up |
Ben Shelton's Incredible US Open Run Ends in the Final
Shelton leaves New York with plenty to be proud of. The 23-year-old American reached his first Grand Slam final after producing one of the tournament's biggest runs.
He defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarterfinal before beating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. That run put Shelton within one victory of ending America's long wait for a men's Grand Slam champion.
The final ultimately went against him, but Shelton's breakthrough in New York establishes him as one of the major forces to watch in men's tennis.
Alexander Zverev has finally conquered the US Open. After falling short in New York six years ago, the German returned in 2026 and delivered when it mattered most — defeating Ben Shelton in four sets for his first US Open title and second Grand Slam of the year.
What's Next for Zverev?
Zverev's 2026 season now has another defining chapter. With Roland Garros and the US Open both in his collection, he has established himself as one of the year's standout Grand Slam performers.
The victory also adds another major milestone to a career that has already featured multiple deep Grand Slam runs. The biggest question now is whether Zverev can carry this momentum into the final stretch of the season.