Alexander Zverev had waited years for this moment. When it finally arrived, he almost missed it. After defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open 2026 final, Zverev initially appeared to think the match was still going. Instead of immediately celebrating, the German looked ready to continue, seemingly unaware that the final point had already given him the championship.
Then he noticed the reaction around Arthur Ashe Stadium. The crowd had erupted. Shelton had walked away. The people around the court were celebrating. Slowly, Zverev looked around and realised what had just happened, oh! he had won the US Open.
HE DIDN’T REALIZE HE’D WON 🏆
Alexander Zverev exorcises his 2020 demons and defeats Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 to win his first US Open title! pic.twitter.com/f0Cnl2xvgI
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2026
The reaction was one of the most unexpectedly sweet moments of the final. Zverev seemed to process the fact that, after years of heartbreak in New York, the trophy was finally his. It was also a remarkable way to end his US Open story.
Alexander Zverev lifting his first U.S. Open trophy.
6 years after he held a 2 sets to 0 lead & served for the title in the 5th set of the championship match, but fell to Dominic Thiem.
Big day for him. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/uB6Y9YBIay
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 13, 2026
Six years after blowing a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final, Zverev returned to the championship match with another chance to claim his first title at Flushing Meadows. This time, there was no late collapse.
The top seed took the opening two sets against Shelton before the American fought back to take the third 7-5. Zverev steadied himself in the fourth, broke twice and closed out the match 6-2.
Zverev has now won two Grand Slam titles in 2026, adding the US Open to his French Open win earlier this year. This marks his 2nd Grand Slam title of career.
