By Nigeria Magazine Desk
Alexander Zverev has claimed his first US Open title after defeating American Ben Shelton in a thrilling four-set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The German top seed prevailed 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday, September 13, to secure his second Grand Slam title of the year and add another major milestone to his 2026 season. ([US Open][1])
Zverev controlled the opening stages of the final, using his powerful serve, consistent groundstrokes and defensive ability to frustrate Shelton. He broke early in the first set and maintained his advantage to take it 6-3.
The second set was more closely contested, with Shelton finding greater rhythm and pushing Zverev into a tiebreak. However, Zverev remained composed under pressure, winning the tiebreak 7-2 to move within one set of the championship. ([US Open][1])
Shelton refused to surrender.
With the home crowd firmly behind him, the 23-year-old American raised his level in the third set. He finally created sustained pressure on Zverev’s serve and secured a crucial break late in the set to win 7-5 and force a fourth.
But Zverev responded like a seasoned champion.
The German immediately regained momentum in the fourth set, breaking Shelton early and refusing to give his opponent an opportunity to mount another comeback. He broke again later in the set and closed out the championship 6-2. ([Reuters][2])
The victory represents a remarkable turnaround for Zverev at Flushing Meadows. Six years after losing a two-set lead in the 2020 US Open final, he finally lifted the trophy in New York.
It is also his second Grand Slam title of 2026, following his breakthrough French Open triumph earlier this year. With the victory, Zverev has now firmly moved beyond the long-standing label of a player who had repeatedly come close to major success without winning a Grand Slam. ([US Open][1])
For Shelton, the defeat ended a historic run at the tournament. The American reached his first Grand Slam final and became the first Black American man to reach a US Open men’s singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
Shelton also carried the hopes of American men’s tennis into the final as he attempted to end a drought dating back to Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph. Although he fell short, his run to the final marked another significant step in his rapidly developing career. ([US Open][3])
Zverev’s victory capped a memorable fortnight in New York and confirmed his status as one of the leading forces in men’s tennis.
Two determined competitors produced a final worthy of the occasion, but in the end, it was Zverev’s experience, composure and consistency that carried him to the US Open crown.
