NEW YORK: Top seed Alexander Zverev banished bitter US Open memories to beat American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7/2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final on Sunday, capturing the title six years after letting a golden opportunity slip through his fingers.
The German squandered a two-set lead in the 2020 title match against Austrian Dominic Thiem but now armed with a champion’s mentality following his breakthrough triumph at Roland Garros in June, he broke American hearts with a devastating display against Shelton.
‘I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we wentthrough and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,’ Zverev said during the presentation ceremony.
The home fans were desperate to see Shelton end a 23-year American men’s Grand Slam drought but the eighth seed never found his top form in his first major final.
‘I know that today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win so I’m very sorry,’ said Zverev.
‘Even though I know that the crowd was against me, the crowd was always incredibly fair and we as players we appreciate it.
Zverev was so focused on the job at hand, he did not even realise he had won the title when Sheltonsmacked a service return long.
As the umpire announced ‘Game, set and match Zverev’, the German headed back to the baseline, ready to receive Shelton’s serve.
It took him a few seconds to register why the cheering fans were giving him a standing ovation as he belatedly cracked a smile and ran to the net to embrace Shelton.
He was beaming again as he was handed a Grand Slam record $5.5 million winner’s prize.
‘My successes are a gift, the failures are a gift, and being here playing in front of you guys is a gift,’ said Shelton, the first Black American man in 54 years to contest the New Yorkfinal after Arthur Ashe.
His girlfriend, Olympic champion soccer player Trinity Rodman, made it to his player’s box after racing 200 miles from her Washington Spirit game, which largely overlapped with the start of his match.
‘JANNIK IS STILL AHEAD’ The victory will no doubt help Zverev move beyond a series of Grand Slam disappointments.
The German’s career has also been overshadowed by allegations of domestic violence, which he has repeatedly denied.
His two majors this season have made a dent in the duopoly of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who won all eight Grand Slamtitles across 2024 and 2025.
Alcaraz, who won this year’s Australian Open, exited the US Open in a quarter-final defeat by Shelton after a long injury layoff while Sinner pulled out injured before the tournament began after winning Wimbledon.
Asked if he considered himself the world’s top player now, Zverev said, ‘With Jannik Sinner being injured and Carlos Alcaraz coming back from injury after four months, right now this moment, probably yes.
‘Both of them healthy and both of them at the top of their game, maybe not.
If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead.
It’s as simple as that.
-Reuters