German top seed Alexander Zverev has added a second Grand Slam title to his collection this year, triumphing over home favourite Ben Shelton in the US Open final. Zverev secured the victory with a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-2 scoreline in New York.
This latest win follows Zverev's first major title at this year's French Open, marking a significant turnaround for the 29-year-old who faced questions about his ability to win major prizes at the start of the season. His success comes as injuries sidelined rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who had dominated majors in 2024 and 2025.
Eighth seed Shelton, identified as a future major winner, was aiming to become the first American man to win a major title since Andy Roddick in 2003. However, a nervy start saw him lose serve in the opening game, setting the tone for Zverev to control the first two sets. Despite a shift in momentum in the third set, Zverev reasserted his authority in the fourth to clinch the championship.
Zverev reflected on his team's efforts, stating, "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now won two in the span of three months." He added, "I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before."