For the first time this year, a Grand Slam men’s singles final will not feature either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner. Alexander Zverev has made sure of that at the US Open 2026, reaching Sunday’s championship match and challenging the narrative that the sport’s two biggest young stars would continue to dominate the major finals. The German will face American star Ben Shelton in title clash who defeated Frances Tiafoe in the second semifinal.
The World no.2, who has already won the French Open this year and reached the Wimbledon final, said he always believed he could break that pattern, even if he felt few outside his camp expected it. “I thought it’s — I believed in it. I believe that it’s possible. I think not many of you guys did,” Zverev said after reaching the US Open final.
Zverev on facing either Shelton or Tiafoe in the U.S. Open final:
“Everybody loves Frances and Ben. Tonight is gonna be an epic semifinal. Hopefully I can NOT make the American dream come true on Sunday.” 💀 pic.twitter.com/GW0WNo1knz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 11, 2026
Alexander Zverev Breaks Alcaraz-Sinner Grand Slam Pattern
The German booked his place in Sunday’s final by beating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the semifinals. In the post-match press conference, he was responding to a question about whether he expected, back in December, that he could finish the season with more Grand Slam finals and potentially more major titles than Alcaraz and Sinner.
His answer reflected how much the conversation around men’s tennis had centred on the two-time Grand Slam champions this season. “I think the question was always, is Carlos and Yannick going to play all four Grand Slam finals between each other again?” Zverev said.
Shelton 🆚 Zverev
Sunday in New York. pic.twitter.com/vGaBKJw1EK
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026
That expectation was understandable after Alcaraz and Sinner had contested the previous four Grand Slam finals, continuing a rivalry that had become the defining storyline at the majors.
But Zverev has now inserted himself into that conversation.
The 29-year-old reached the Australian Open final earlier this year, before going on to win the French Open and finish runner-up at Wimbledon. His run in New York means he will play in his third Grand Slam final of the season.
Zverev Has One More Match to Complete the Story
Zverev’s path to the US Open final has also marked a sharp turnaround from the beginning of the tournament, when he admitted he had doubts about his chances.
“I really started off the tournament and I was like, well, this is pointless because I’m not going to do anything here,” he said. “And here I am sitting and preparing for a Sunday final.”
The top seed was pushed to the limit in his opening match, surviving Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in nearly five hours after coming within two points of defeat in the fourth set.
Zverev again found himself in a five-set battle, overcoming Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 in another gruelling contest that ended after midnight.
After two exhausting five-setters, the German star settled into his rhythm, beating Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the third round before dispatching Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) in the fourth. He then cruised past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 in the quarterfinals to reach the last four.
Now, Zverev has the chance to finish a season that has already changed the shape of the men’s Grand Slam picture.
“I’m happy with how this year went so far,” he said. “But I got another big match on Sunday. And that’s my focus.”
With Alcaraz and Sinner both absent from the final, Zverev will have an opportunity to add another Grand Slam title to his French Open triumph and further establish himself as a major force in a season that began with questions about whether anyone could break the two-man pattern.
