German star captures his maiden US Open singles championship
German tennis star Alexander Zverev captured his maiden US Open men's singles title by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2. Securing his second Grand Slam of 2026, he finally laid his New York ghosts to rest on Sunday. This historic victory makes him Germany’s first male champion at Flushing Meadows since Boris Becker triumphed in 1989.
Entering the match with an unblemished head-to-head record against his younger rival, Zverev dictated play immediately. He pressured Shelton into early unforced errors and secured a swift break of serve. Consolidating his lead with powerful volleys and baseline precision, he wrapped up the opening set 6-3. Shelton fought back fiercely in the second set, serving with enhanced power to force a decisive tie-break. Displaying immense composure under pressure, Zverev dominated the breaker 7-2 to double his overall match advantage.
Refusing to concede defeat, Shelton energized the vocal Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd throughout the third set. He desperately sought to become the first local man to win a major singles championship since Andy Roddick achieved the feat in 2003. Capitalizing on a rare lapse in concentration from his opponent, Shelton broke serve in the twelfth game to snatch the set 7-5. Six years ago, Zverev notoriously surrendered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in this exact tournament final. History briefly threatened to repeat itself, but the German refused to falter again.
Clinical championship finish
Responding with ruthless efficiency, Zverev immediately broke Shelton’s serve at the start of the fourth set. He consolidated the crucial break with a brilliant backhand volley winner and maintained relentless pressure from the baseline. At 4-2, Shelton's serve collapsed entirely, yielding three consecutive errors and a fatal double break. Serving for the championship, Zverev shrugged off a minor stumble to close out the match with an enormous ace followed by a thumping winner. When Shelton pushed a final forehand wide, Zverev secured his 26th career title and marked his 60th career victory over a Top-10 opponent, ending his long wait for glory.
An Ecstatic Zverev after the match
