sevendayweekender – Alexander Zverev used his experience and composure to defeat home favourite Ben Shelton in the US Open final. The German top seed secured a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 victory in front of a partisan crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The triumph gives Zverev his second Grand Slam singles title after he won the French Open earlier this season. His latest success also confirms his emergence as one of the leading players on the men’s tour after years of narrowly missing out on major silverware.
German Controls Opening Two Sets
Zverev entered the tournament carrying greater confidence after finally winning his first major title at Roland Garros. At the beginning of the season. There had been considerable uncertainty over whether the 29-year-old would eventually secure a Grand Slam championship.
The German immediately demonstrated his experience against Shelton by breaking serve in the opening game. Zverev maintained control throughout the first set and continued to dictate the second. Eventually taking the tie-break 7-2 to move within one set of victory.
Shelton Responds in Third Set
Shelton refused to allow the match to end without a fight and began putting greater pressure on Zverev’s service games. The eighth seed’s powerful groundstrokes became increasingly effective as he looked for opportunities to turn the contest around.
Shelton eventually converted his third break opportunity of the match. Providing a major lift for the approximately 24,000 spectators inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American then held his nerve to claim the third set 7-5 and extend the final.
Zverev Regains Control in Decider
The momentum appeared to be shifting toward Shelton when the fourth set began, but the American immediately handed Zverev an opportunity with a poor service game. Zverev took advantage of the opening and quickly re-established control of the contest.
The German maintained pressure throughout the fourth set and prevented Shelton from building another comeback. Zverev eventually closed out the match 6-2, completing his second Grand Slam triumph and ending the American’s hopes of winning his first major title.
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Shelton’s Historic Bid Falls Short
Shelton had been attempting to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s US Open triumph in 2003. His run to the final nevertheless represented a significant achievement for the 23-year-old, who was competing in his first major championship final.
Zverev’s victory also came during a period in which the recent Grand Slam landscape has been affected by injuries to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The pair had dominated the major titles across 2024 and 2025, but Zverev has taken advantage of opportunities against the rest of the field.
The final ended with an unusual moment as Zverev initially did not realise that he had won the championship. After Shelton sent the final return long, Zverev only broke into a broad smile after members of his team indicated that the match was over. The victory completes a remarkable turnaround for the German, who can now celebrate being a multiple Grand Slam champion.
