Zverev defeats Shelton for US Open title, extends American men's drought
11 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 13, 2026, 10:44 PM
Last updated Sep 13, 2026
Alexander Zverev won the US Open men's singles final against Ben Shelton, 6–3, 7–6, 5–7, 6–2, securing his second Grand Slam title. This victory maintains a 23-year drought for American men at Grand Slam tournaments, with the last win belonging to Andy Roddick in 2003. Following this win, Zverev will receive a record $5.5 million in prize money, pushing his career earnings to $74 million and placing him fourth on the all-time earnings list. Shelton's runner-up finish elevates him to a career-high No. 4 ranking and earns him $2.8 million in prize money. The US Open concludes the Grand Slam season, with future major events including Masters 1000 tournaments leading to the ATP Finals in mid-November.
- •Zverev's win marks his second Grand Slam title in 2026.
- •Shelton's runner-up finish is the highest ranking of his career.
- •The last American man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick in 2003.
- •Zverev earns a record $5.5 million from the tournament.
- •Zverev remains No. 2 in the ATP rankings post-tournament.
- 11:06 PMESPN — Zverev dashes American hopes, beats Shelton in US Open final for 2nd major
- 10:30 PMThe Guardian Sport — Alexander Zverev claims first US Open after four-set battle with Ben Shelton
- 10:12 PMCBS Sports — 2026 US Open results: Alexander Zverev ousts Ben Shelton, extends American men's 23-year Grand Slam drought
- 10:02 PMYahoo Sports — Zverev caps transformational year with US Open triumph
- 10:02 PMBBC Sport — Zverev caps transformational year with US Open triumph
- 10:02 PMYahoo Sports — Zverev tops Shelton at US Open, extends American men title drought
- 9:53 PMYahoo Sports — American Drought Stands At 23 Years As Alexander Zverev Tops Ben Shelton In U.S. Open Final
- 9:52 PMYahoo Sports — Zverev Beats Shelton as American Men’s Grand Slam Drought Continues
"No 1 seed wins 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 American’s hopes dashed in tense final For a passing moment at the end of a rugged third set, hope sprung anew for Ben Shelton. He had been outserved and outplayed for nearly three hours, but at 6-5 in the third set, one game from defeat, the American finally broke through. He burst into the return game finally pounding his forehand freely and he willed himself into an unexpected fourth set. After he had finished pumping his fist, cupping his ear to the crowd and admirably trying to initiate a drastic momentum shift, the next sequence was most revealing. Shelton opened the fourth set with a shaky game, immediately losing his serve at the start of the set. He worked hard until the end, but he was beaten by Zverev, the top seed, who closed out a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory to lift his second grand slam title of the year. Continue reading...
"Top seed Alexander Zverev broke Ben Shelton's heart and ended the dreams of the USA by winning his maiden US Open title in four sets on Sunday.
"Alexander Zverev lands his second Grand Slam title after ending Ben Shelton's hopes of becoming a rare home US Open men's champion.
Sources
External links- ESPNSep 13, 2026, 11:06 PMZverev dashes American hopes, beats Shelton in US Open final for 2nd major
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- The Guardian SportSep 13, 2026, 10:30 PMAlexander Zverev claims first US Open after four-set battle with Ben Shelton
No 1 seed wins 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 American’s hopes dashed in tense final For a passing moment at the end of a rugged third set, hope sprung anew for Ben Shelton. He had been outserved and outplayed for nearly three hours, but at 6-5 in the third set, one game from defeat, the American finally broke through. He burst into the return game finally pounding his forehand freely and he willed himself into an unexpected fourth set. After he had finished pumping his fist, cupping his ear to the crowd and admirably trying to initiate a drastic momentum shift, the next sequence was most revealing. Shelton opened the fourth set with a shaky game, immediately losing his serve at the start of the set. He worked hard until the end, but he was beaten by Zverev, the top seed, who closed out a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory to lift his second grand slam title of the year. Continue reading...
- CBS SportsSep 13, 2026, 10:12 PM2026 US Open results: Alexander Zverev ousts Ben Shelton, extends American men's 23-year Grand Slam drought
The top seed collected his second Grand Slam title of the year, doing so in dominant fashion over an emerging American star
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 10:02 PMZverev caps transformational year with US Open triumph
Alexander Zverev lands his second Grand Slam title after ending Ben Shelton's hopes of becoming a rare home US Open men's champion.
- BBC SportSep 13, 2026, 10:02 PMZverev caps transformational year with US Open triumph
Alexander Zverev lands his second Grand Slam title after ending Ben Shelton's hopes of becoming a rare home US Open men's champion.
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 10:02 PMZverev tops Shelton at US Open, extends American men title drought
Alexander Zverev won his second Grand Slam of the year, beating Ben Shelton for the US Open title.
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 9:53 PMAmerican Drought Stands At 23 Years As Alexander Zverev Tops Ben Shelton In U.S. Open Final
Zverev won his first U.S. Open after blowing a two-sets-to-love lead on Dominic Thiem in 2020 and admitting he “choked.”
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 9:52 PMZverev Beats Shelton as American Men’s Grand Slam Drought Continues
Zverev won the US Open for his second Grand Slam of 2026.
- Sky Sports—Zverev breaks American hearts to become US Open champion
Highlights of Alexander Zverev against Ben Shelton from the men's US Open final.
- Sky Sports—Zverev ends Shelton’s run and American hopes with US Open triumph
Top seed Alexander Zverev broke Ben Shelton's heart and ended the dreams of the USA by winning his maiden US Open title in four sets on Sunday.
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