Alexander Zverev wins the 2026 US Open title

Alexander Zverev has been crowned US Open champion for the first time after defeating American star Ben Shelton in a thrilling four-set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

The German top seed produced a fantastic performance under immense pressure from a partisan home crowd to beat Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 5-7, 6-2 and claim his second Grand Slam title of the 2026 season. The victory completes a remarkable turnaround for Zverev, who entered the year still searching for his first major title. He has now won both the French Open and US Open in 2026, making this the most successful Grand Slam season of his career.

Zverev made the perfect start to the final, immediately putting pressure on Shelton's serve and taking the first set 6-3. The second set was much closer as Shelton fought to stay in contention. However, Zverev remained composed when it mattered most and dominated the tiebreak, winning it 7-2 to move within one set of the championship.

Zverev appeared to be cruising towards a straight-sets victory. Shelton fought back as he raised his level in the third set and finally found a way through Zverev's defence. With the German serving for the championship at 6-5, Shelton produced one of his best return games of the match to break and force a fourth set.

He then won the set 7-5, giving the home fans renewed hope of a remarkable comeback. But Zverev responded like a Grand Slam champion.

The German immediately regained control in the fourth set, breaking Shelton's serve early and refusing to allow the American back into the contest. Zverev eventually closed out the set 6-2 to seal the biggest victory of his career at Flushing Meadows.

The triumph is particularly significant because of Zverev's history at the US Open. Six years ago, he came agonisingly close to winning the tournament after taking a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final.

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