Alexander Zverev Ends US Open Drought

Alexander Zverev ended American hopes at the US Open by beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in Sunday’s final after three-and-a-half hours.

The victory gave the German his first US Open title and his second Grand Slam crown. He had already won the French Open earlier this year.

Zverev, the world No. 2, also overcame a painful memory from six years ago, when he lost a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in his first major final at Flushing Meadows.

Shelton had his chances after winning the third set in front of the home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, the 29-year-old German stayed composed. He broke immediately at the start of the fourth set and added another break in the seventh game before serving out the match.

The result means Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph remains the last Grand Slam victory by an American man.

Zverev entered the final with a 5-0 record against Shelton, although they had never met at a Grand Slam. Their previous meeting came at the 2025 ATP Finals.

Shelton arrived with confidence after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the previous rounds. However, the eighth seed struggled from the start. He faced a break point in his opening service game and double-faulted.

Zverev used his powerful serve and experience to control the match. He won 85 per cent of his first-serve points, taking 68 of 80.

Shelton improved in the second set but failed to create a break chance. Zverev then dominated the tiebreak, racing 5-0 ahead before taking the set.

Although Shelton finally ended a run of 12 straight sets lost to Zverev, he could not force a comeback. Zverev sealed the win and became only the second German man after Boris Becker in 1989 to win the US Open in the Open Era.

Can Zverev build on this success and add more Grand Slam titles?