Alexander Zverev has finally got his hands on the US Open trophy. The German defeated American star Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final at Flushing Meadows on Sunday to win his second Grand Slam title of 2026.
For Zverev, this victory was about much more than another trophy. It was also about finally ending the painful memories of his 2020 US Open final defeat.
Zverev completes his US Open redemption
Six years ago, Zverev was just two points away from winning his first Grand Slam title against Dominic Thiem.
He had won the opening two sets in the 2020 US Open final but eventually lost the match. That defeat remained one of the toughest moments of his career. This time, there was no collapse. Zverev stayed calm when Shelton fought back and finished the job in four sets.
The German had already ended his Grand Slam wait by winning the French Open earlier in 2026. His US Open triumph now gives him two major titles in the same year.
‘2026 is the outcome of all the years before’
Zverev spoke emotionally during the trophy presentation. The German said his success was the result of years of hard work and difficult moments.
‘I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,’ Zverev said.
His journey to becoming a two-time Grand Slam champion has certainly not been easy. Before 2026, he had lost Grand Slam finals at the US Open in 2020 and the French Open in 2024. Now, those disappointments have been replaced by major trophies.
Zverev silences a packed New York crowd
Shelton had the home crowd firmly behind him. The American was trying to end a 23-year wait for an American men’s Grand Slam champion. The last American man to win a major was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
Shelton was also aiming to become the first Black American man to win the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
But Zverev handled the pressure brilliantly. ‘I know that today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win so I’m very sorry,’ Zverev joked during the presentation. He also praised the New York crowd for remaining fair despite supporting Shelton.
Zverev takes control from the start
Shelton struggled with nerves early in his first Grand Slam final. He double-faulted on break point in the opening game, allowing Zverev to take an early advantage.
The German never gave him a chance to recover in the first set. Another double fault from Shelton helped Zverev close out the set 6-3.
The second set was even tighter. With the crowd trying to push Shelton forward, Zverev stayed focused and took control of the tiebreak. He raced to a 5-0 lead before winning it 7-2. At that point, Zverev looked close to completing a straight-sets victory.
Shelton fights back in the 3rd set
Shelton had other ideas. The American started hitting with more power and greater depth from the baseline.
Zverev even had to save a break point with a brilliant backhand winner in the 6th game. Shelton later slipped on court, but instead of losing momentum, the incident seemed to lift him.
He eventually earned his first break of the match. That was also the only time Zverev lost his serve throughout the final. Shelton held on to win the third set 7-5, forcing a fourth set.
Zverev ends Shelton’s comeback
Any hopes of a full comeback disappeared quickly in the fourth set. Zverev broke Shelton’s serve at the start and immediately regained control.
The German then survived a huge 25-shot rally, showing just how determined he was to finish the match. He kept his advantage and closed out the fourth set 6-2. After years of Grand Slam heartbreak, Zverev was finally the US Open champion.
From 2020 heartbreak to 2026 glory
Zverev’s US Open victory closes one of the most painful chapters of his career. In 2020, he had a two-set lead against Thiem and came within two points of winning his first Grand Slam.
Instead, he became the first man since 1949 to lose a Grand Slam final after winning the opening two sets.
Six years later, Zverev finally has his US Open crown. After winning the French Open earlier this year, he now has two Grand Slam titles in 2026.
For a player who once wondered how close he could get without winning, the answer is finally clear. Alexander Zverev is a Grand Slam champion again – and this time, he finished the job in New York.