Alexander Zverev defeats Ben Shelton to win US Open title

Alexander Zverev captured the U.S. Open title on Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton in four sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2. The victory marks a significant milestone for the German top seed, who secured his second major title of the year following his win at Roland Garros in June.

The match took place in New York, where Zverev faced a partisan crowd that largely favored the eighth-seeded Shelton. The American was attempting to end a 23-year drought for U.S. men in Grand Slam tournaments, but he struggled to find his top form during his first appearance in a major final.

Zverev’s performance was noted for its composure, a contrast to his 2020 U.S. Open final appearance where he lost a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem. Following his win, Zverev acknowledged the difficulty of playing against a crowd that was overwhelmingly supporting his opponent, though he praised the spectators for remaining fair throughout the contest.

The conclusion of the match featured a brief moment of confusion for the champion. After Shelton hit a service return long, the umpire declared the match over, but Zverev initially returned to the baseline expecting to continue play. It took several seconds for him to realize he had secured the championship.

In his post-match comments, Zverev reflected on the years of effort and setbacks that preceded this victory. He expressed gratitude for the outcome, attributing his success to the persistence and work ethic he and his team have maintained since his previous near-miss at the tournament six years ago.