Key Takeaways
- Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open, his second Grand Slam title of the year.
- This victory follows Zverev's French Open triumph and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, marking a career-best season.
- Zverev avenged his heartbreaking 2020 US Open final loss, where he fell to Dominic Thiem.
- Ben Shelton's impressive run to the final ended his bid to become the first American man in 23 years to win a Grand Slam.
- The win positions Zverev to challenge for the world No. 1 ranking, especially with Jannik Sinner sidelined.
New York, NY – Alexander Zverev has cemented his status at the pinnacle of men's tennis, capturing his second Grand Slam title of the year by defeating American hopeful Ben Shelton in a compelling US Open final. The German powerhouse navigated a late surge from Shelton to triumph 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday, adding the Flushing Meadows crown to his earlier French Open victory and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.
The victory is particularly poignant for Zverev, who exorcised the bitter memories of his 2020 US Open defeat, where he was agonizingly close to victory before succumbing to Dominic Thiem in a five-set epic. Six years and two major finals disappointments later, Zverev's perseverance has finally paid off in spectacular fashion. "I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through and I think this outcome is the result of all the years that happened before," Zverev remarked during the trophy presentation, reflecting on his arduous journey back to the sport's summit.
From the outset, Zverev, the top seed, demonstrated why he is considered one of the sport's most formidable talents. His serve was virtually untouchable, and he dictated play with precision from both wings. He secured an early break in the first game, capitalizing on a double fault from Shelton, and continued to apply pressure. Serving to extend the first set, Shelton faltered again, dumping a backhand into the net and then double-faulting on set point, handing Zverev the opener 6-3.
The second set saw Shelton rally from 0-30 down to force a tiebreaker, showing glimpses of the fighting spirit that had carried him through the tournament. However, Zverev was relentless, roaring to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker before closing it out with a service winner, taking a commanding two-sets-to-none lead.
Despite the deficit, the 23-year-old Shelton, playing in his first Grand Slam final, refused to yield. With the fervent backing of a star-studded Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, he found a new gear in the third set, eliminating the unforced errors that Zverev had ruthlessly exploited. Serving to extend the set, Zverev found himself down 0-40. Shelton fired long on his first set point, but on the second, Zverev's forehand volley went wide. Shelton secured his first break of the match, sending the contest into a fourth set and reigniting hopes for the American faithful.
However, Zverev's response was immediate and decisive. He broke Shelton in the opening game of the fourth set, running the young American ragged through a grueling 24-shot rally before Shelton sailed a backhand wide. From there, Zverev rolled home, lifting his arms in triumph after Shelton fired a serve return long on match point. The German finally received his own huge cheer from the crowd, acknowledging the challenging atmosphere. "I know that 999% of people wanted Ben to win, so I'm sorry," Zverev quipped at the trophy presentation. "It was an incredible atmosphere to play in."
Shelton's journey to the final had been nothing short of spectacular, fueling hopes that he could end the 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam singles. He had delivered an epic five-set quarter-final victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and followed it with a come-from-behind win against compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. While the sharpness that defined those earlier matches was somewhat lacking in the final, Shelton's performance throughout the tournament signals a bright future for American tennis. "What you're doing is incredible," Shelton graciously told Zverev during the trophy presentation. "The way you're serving, the way you are moving in play. You work harder than anyone I know. You put more hours on the court than anyone I know … I'm sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title. It has been a long time coming here."
Why This Matters
Alexander Zverev's US Open triumph is a testament to his resilience and unwavering dedication, marking a definitive return to the sport's elite after years of injury and near misses. This victory, coupled with his French Open title, firmly establishes him as a dominant force in men's tennis and positions him as a strong contender for the world No. 1 ranking, especially with Italian Jannik Sinner currently sidelined. For Ben Shelton, despite the loss, his remarkable run to the final has announced his arrival on the global stage, injecting much-needed excitement and promise into American men's tennis for years to come.