Alexander Zverev denied Ben Shelton his US Open dream to win his second grand slam title and deny the American in his bid to end his country’s long tournament drought.
It has been 23 years since an American man, Andy Roddick, last won the US Open but Shelton’s run to his first grand slam final, where he defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in an epic quarter-final, suggested that he could break that spell.
However, top seed Zverev was too dominant as the German added the US Open to his French Open crown secured in June, with the 29-year-old becoming just the fourth man in the Open era to win their first two grand slams titles in the same season.
Shelton, 23, overcame a very nervy start and finally arrived in the match to break his opponent for the first time late in the third set and force the fourth, but Zverev immediately pounced to claim the opening break before serving out a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 victory.
Zverev did not realise he had won the title, however, after he had lost track of the score when serving for the Championship. Zverev barely responded when Shelton put his return long and it wasn’t until he looked up to the big scoreboard for him to realise he was the champion.
Follow updates from Shelton v Zverev in the US Open final, below
Read MoreAlexander Zverev fails to realise he had won the US Open in bizarre moment
Alexander Zverev frustrates US Open crowd with ball bouncing and slow pace of serving
Shelton v Zverev: Latest US Open final updates
- Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton to win US Open men’s title
- Top seed Zverev repels late Shelton comeback with dominant fourth set
- The German is now a two-time grand slam champion after winning French Open this year
- Shelton is denied in bid to end 23-year wait for American men’s US Open champion
- Zverev fails to realise he had won the US Open in bizarre moment
Alexander Zverev expects to enjoy US Open more than French Open
05:02 , Jamie Braidwood”I think I'll be able to enjoy this one a lot more than in Paris, because in Paris I was just full of stress.
“The entire two weeks, I was just a massive ball of stress and it was just a massive relief when I finally did it.
“The difference was then I came to Wimbledon, I played a lot freer, and I played with a lot more joy, and I feel like the same thing happened here.
“It was just fun to be out there in those moments, whereas in Paris it wasn't fun, it was just a lot of stress.
“Once you win one, there's definitely something coming off and there's massive relief there. I think it helped me here.”
Alexander Zverev admits he forgot the score in the final set
03:52 , Jamie Braidwood“I thought it was 5-1!” Zverev told Sky Sports. “I knew I had broke twice, he had only held once so like it's 5-1.
“I thought, OK, I'm gonna have a relaxed service game here and then I'm gonna get tight on the next one.
“It's actually funny. Tennis teachers always tell you just play each point, to forget about the score. From that moment I forgot about the score, it helped me.”
Ben Shelton: 'I'm just getting started'
02:37 , Jamie Braidwood“To the city of New York. To the fans who showed up today, the fans at home, the people who've been here all week, the people who stayed till 4 in the morning. You guys drove me, you guys brought me to the place that I'm here today, the position that I wanna be in, in the finals of these tournaments. I'm just getting started and I'll be back here again. Thank you so much.”
Ben Shelton congratulates Alexander Zverev on winning US Open
01:36 , Jamie Braidwood“First and most importantly, I want to thank God. My successes are a gift. The failures are a gift, and being here playing in front of you guys is a gift. Sasha congrats on these two weeks, man. Your second grand slam title, two in one year. You're one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year. What you're doing is incredible, the way you're serving, the way you're moving and playing. You work harder than anyone I know. You put more hours on the court than anyone I know. You and your team do things the right way and sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title. It’s been a long time coming here.”
Alexander Zverev backs Ben Shelton to win a US Open title one day
00:32 , Jamie Braidwood“Ben, you're, you're an incredible player, incredible person. This was your first grand slam final, but I already told you you're gonna be back here many, many more times, and if I would have to bet all my money on it, I would bet that you would lift this trophy one day.”
Alexander Zverev on becoming a two-time grand slam champion
23:27 , Jamie BraidwoodAlexander Zverev after winning the US Open, his second grand slam title.
“I want to thank my team. We went 30 years without winning a grand slam title, and now we won two in a span of three months. I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before. I couldn't be here without you guys.
“I was two points away from losing in the first round. I'm very happy that I won that match because it would have been a different outcome otherwise.”
Alexander Zverev fails to realise he had won the US Open in bizarre moment
23:08 , Jamie BraidwoodAlexander Zverev failed to realise he had just won the US Open after becoming a two-time grand slam champion in New York.
The German would have perhaps expected a muted reaction to his winning moment as he was facing the home hope Ben Shelton in the final.
But the 29-year-old must have lost track of the score because when Shelton put his return long on Championship point, Zverev barely responded.
Instead, the top seed though there was another game to come because he had already hit the balls to the other end of the court to receive.
It wasn’t until Zverev looked up to the scoreboard and the upper deck of the Arthur Ashe Stadium for Zverev to realise he was the champion.
But there was no falling onto his back as, in one of the strangests grand slam title victories of all time, Zverev belatedly burst into a wide smile.
HE DIDN'T REALIZE HE'D WON 🏆
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2026
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
More to come from Ben Shelton
22:58 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat a tournament from this young man. His victory over Carlos Alcaraz was a seismic moment in his career. The USA’s 23-year wait for a US Open title goes on, but Shelton will be back.
Alexander Zverev wins US Open
22:54 , Jamie BraidwoodHe’s celebrating now! Zverev lost track of the score. He had no idea he had just won the US Open. Incredible. Weird.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7, 6-2 Ben Shelton
22:53 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother double fault from Zverev draws some cheers and applause but they are sounding quite forlorn now, especially as Zverev then slams an ace down the middle to move 30-15 and two points away.
A defensive lob from Shelton barely clears the net and Zverev slams the smash. This Championship point is going be pretty muted... OH MY GOODNESS ZVEREV DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HE WON AS SHELTON’S RETURN WENT LONG!
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 2-5 Alexander Zverev*
22:50 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev’s top, shoes and shorts are drenched in sweat. But he’s changed his shoes into a fresh pair before serving for the US Open.
US Open final: BREAK! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 2-5 Alexander Zverev*
22:47 , Jamie BraidwoodDisaster for Shelton. An ugly backhand volley is dumped into the tramlines and is followed by another backhand out.
Two break points: Zverev stands tall at the net, repelling Shelton’s passing shots. Shelton lobs but pushes too far.
Zverev breaks and will serve for the US Open. Even if he doesn’t close now, he’ll have another shot at it.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 2-4 Alexander Zverev
22:43 , Jamie BraidwoodSuper hands from Zverev to win the game of cat and mouse at the net and put the volley past the American. A much simpler service hold for Zverev, to love. He moves two games away from the title.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 2-3 Alexander Zverev*
22:38 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev will be serving immediately as Shelton steers a screaming forehand winner down the line.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 1-3 Alexander Zverev
22:35 , Jamie BraidwoodAt 30-30, Zverev finally gets a time violation warning from chair umpire Marijana Veljovic, to huge cheers and applause from the Arthur Ashe crowd. Zverev approaches Veljovic and says he was within the time clock, to jeers, with Ben Shelton nodding his head too.
Now this is some pressure. But Zverev finds the second serve and manages to blast his way past Shelton’s leaping defences. There is more applause as Zverev puts his first serve into the net. But again Zverev produces an incredible backhand winner, angled right past Shelton.
The German stretches his lead – but he’s not at all happy.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 1-2 Alexander Zverev*
22:26 , Jamie Braidwood“More focus, more intention” Ben Shelton’s coach and father Bryan Shelton says after a second consecutive error leaves his son facing 0-30 in the third game of the fourth.
Shelton had lost a bit of both in that last game but he is digging himself out of it now. Suddenly Shelton flies in and slams the overhead.
Four points in a row from 0-30 and Shelton finds a timely recovery.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 0-2 Alexander Zverev
22:22 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd just like that Zverev consolidates the break of serve and strikes ahead in the fourth.
The chair umpire has to remind fans to keep quiet between serves after a few fans cheered a missed first serve. Zverev has found a way to silence the crowd, though.
US Open final: BREAK! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 0-1 Alexander Zverev*
22:18 , Jamie BraidwoodSuddenly Shelton comes under attack from Zverev from 30-0 up in the opening game. That quickly becomes 30-30 as Shelton rips an error into the net, before Zverev almost takes Shelton’s head off with a volley.
Break point: Shelton goes for the wide serve and volley and sticks it into the corner. On deuce, he goes big again and blasts the forehand out, handing Zverev another chance to get the opening break.
What a scramble from Shelton, but what a rally from Zverev to drag it out! Shelton makes the critical error on his backhand and balloons it long after Zverev had pulled him inside the baseline.
That’s huge for Zverev.
US Open final: THIRD SET! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 Alexander Zverev
22:08 , Jamie BraidwoodSHELTON FIGHTS ON! Oooft that’s a bad miss on the volley from Zverev but Shelton will not care! He looked down and out when Zverev won the second set, but it may be that this final has only just begun.
Shelton has sparked this final into life and his serve is now playing ball. He won over 90 per cent of his service points in set three. A huge improvement. He then stayed patient and took his chance! Game on!
Haha, this facial expression by the way. He couldn’t, could he?
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 6-5 Alexander Zverev*
22:08 , Jamie BraidwoodFighting for his US Open dreams, Shelton rips a winner on the opening point! Shelton locks in on the next one, scrambling to keep the point alive, and then draws the backhand error from Zverev as he looked down the line.
The first 0-30 for Shelton of the match. He’s suddenly two points from the set! Zverev shanks a forehand high into the sky but it somehow drops in. Shelton keeps his focus. Another shank from Zverev... but this one drops out!
WOW! Three set points for Shelton now to force a fourth. Zverev fires a first-serve wide to draw applause and whoops from the crowd... then some hushes.... then Zverev makes a let to keep the whole sideshow going!
Shelton’s return lands out! Two more set points to come.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 6-5 Alexander Zverev*
22:02 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Shelton fightback lasts one more game. Zverev puts a forehand long and the American is through to another tiebreak at least. He needs a look at some second serves, though.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 5-5 Alexander Zverev
21:59 , Jamie BraidwoodA screaming backhand winner gets Shelton’s many fans on their feet but Zverev stays rock solid to get through from 15-15. He just manages to find those first serves when he needs them.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 5-4 Alexander Zverev*
21:53 , Jamie BraidwoodFair play, Shelton is not done yet. A lovely lob and drop shot combo leaves Zverev stranded. A love-hold from Shelton and he has a fierce look in his eye once more. Back to Zverev.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 4-4 Alexander Zverev
21:51 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev shanks a forehand to hand Shelton a glimmer of a shot at 30-30. Shelton then senses his moment to close in on the net but Zverev produces a stunning backhand pass down the line that leaves Shelton lying on his front in disbelief.
Shelton neets on the backhand. You can feel the belief just drain out of him.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 4-3 Alexander Zverev*
21:43 , Jamie BraidwoodA lovely lob from Shelton gets the eighth seed another hold. He’s keeping his nose ahead, at least. But the atmosphere of the Arthur Ashe crowd is another story. There’s a sense of resignation that this will not be Shelton’s day.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 3-3 Alexander Zverev
21:39 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother 30-30 for Shelton against the Zverev serve, and this time the American gets a break point! Zverev went for the big forehand winner but puts it wide of the line!
Here we go. More than two hours in, could Shelton strike in the third? Nope, Zverev steps in behind his first serve and crushes the angled backhand winner.
Shelton growls in frustration as the chance slips away.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 2-2 Alexander Zverev
21:30 , Jamie BraidwoodWith Zverev 40-0 on serve, Shelton puts a second-serve return from the German into the bottom of the net. It’s been disappointing that Shelton has yet to bring his level to this final after such an excellent run to it.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 1-1 Alexander Zverev
21:24 , Jamie BraidwoodStill no break points for Shelton. He’s got to 30-30, deuce... but no opportunity to really test the Zverev bottle. This was another 30-30 chance but the German responds with a wide serve and takes the game.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) Alexander Zverev
21:15 , Jamie BraidwoodThe stars are out and might be a bit bored if this is all over in straights.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) Alexander Zverev
21:13 , Jamie BraidwoodShelton has never won a match from two sets down before. Now would be a good time.
Zverev lost his only other appearance in the US Open final from two sets up.
But that was six years ago and he is a much, much tougher player now.
US Open final: SECOND SET! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) Alexander Zverev
21:10 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev fires one of his biggest serves of the tournament so far to move into a dominant 5-0 lead in the tiebreak. Shelton gets a couple of points back but even Zverev’s missed serves are not being cheered as raucously as they were earlier in the set.
That’s because Zverev is in full control. Shelton pulls a backhand wide and Zverev gets four set points. He thunders a first serve down the middle and moves a set away from the title. Two sets up, he closes in on a second grand slam title.
US Open final: TIEBREAK! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-6 Alexander Zverev
21:06 , Jamie BraidwoodWow. A forehand winner on the run from Zverev flashes past Shelton’s forehand side as he approached the net. Zverev scorches another forehand down the line. He moves 0-3 up in the tiebreak with two points in a row going against serve. Ominous for Shelton.
US Open final: TIEBREAK! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-6 Alexander Zverev
21:01 , Jamie BraidwoodThe warning signs are flashing for Shelton as makes a backhand error to face 0-30 as Zverev moves two points form the set. But he locks in from the baseline to draw a Zverev error on the forehand, then fires an accurate serve out wide.
Shelton is then there to land the running volley after Zverev had the court to aim for! This would be some escape. But Shelton shoots the forehand winner long with Zverev scrambling behind the baseline. We go to deuce.
Shelton’s serve delivers! He gets through deuce and gets to face Zverev in the tiebreak. Shelton’s not seen a break point yet but taking this would be an absolute steal.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 5-6 Alexander Zverev
20:56 , Jamie BraidwoodWith the way he’s serving, you’d back Zverev in a tiebreak.
The good news for the French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up is that he’s into one at the very least and he can now attack the Shelton serve in the 12th game of the set.
It appears as if Zverev picked up his pace after drawing a soft warning from chair umpire Marijana Veljovic in the previous game.
Zverev frustrates US Open crowd with ball bouncing and slow pace of serving
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 5-5 Alexander Zverev*
20:52 , Jamie BraidwoodAir Shelton! The American takes off and puts away the smash, alley-oop style to seal the hold and remain alive in the second set.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 4-5 Alexander Zverev
20:49 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev, with fresh balls in hand, comfortably comes through the service game to move one game away from the second set. Pressure on Shelton now.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 4-4 Alexander Zverev*
20:44 , Jamie BraidwoodShelton is attempting to fire himself and the crowd up! It’s all been a bit flat so far. But with the fresh balls, Shelton fires a couple of aces on his way to a love-hold.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 3-4 Alexander Zverev
20:37 , Jamie BraidwoodPoor miss from Shelton as he comes into the court and attacks a forehand on 30-30, only to push it long! A fifth double fault from Zverev receives more cheers from the crowd, though, and keeps Shelton’s interest in this game alive. Deuce.
There is more applause as Zverev misses on a first serve, and the German pauses his ball toss before the second to draw a few jeers from the Arthur Ashe crowd. A nervy point follows, but Shelton goes long!
Zverev then closes out the hold to stay ahead.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 3-3 Alexander Zverev*
20:32 , Jamie BraidwoodBetter, again, from Shelton as he directs a backhand winner down the line to get the love-hold. Some signs of encouragement for the 23-year-old as he digs in.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 2-3 Alexander Zverev
20:28 , Jamie BraidwoodIf Shelton was hoping for a surge of momentum, Zverev remains too solid. Consistency from the baseline as the top seed drags Shelton out of position to get the love-hold.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 2-2 Alexander Zverev*
20:23 , Jamie BraidwoodRemarkable defence from Zverev from side to side on 15-30, but Shelton blasts a way through. If he hadn’t, Shelton would be facing two break points.
... but Shelton’s head still slumps after a double-fault on 30-30. Now, another chance for Zverev to break. He’s taken both so far.
Shelton finds a wide serve and roars as Zverev puts it into the net on the backhand.
From deuce, Shelton wins a long exchange and forces the error from Zverev, then draws another miss on the backhand.
That could be a big moment.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 1-2 Alexander Zverev
20:16 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is looking very comfortable for Zverev right now. Shelton needs something. A moment, a spark. Trinity Rodman to arrive after her NWSL game for Washington Spirit?
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 1-1 Alexander Zverev*
20:13 , Jamie BraidwoodShelton clenches his fist after getting through a tough deuce game, with Zverev winning a scrambling point to keel life awkward at the start of the second. Shelton’s serve gets him out of trouble.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 0-1 Alexander Zverev
20:08 , Jamie BraidwoodShelton gets to deuce on the opening Zverev game of the second set but the German blasts down a first serve out wide. On game point, Shelton attempts to run around a backhand to get to his forehand but finds the net. Shelton is struggling on that backhand side.
He had previously lost all five matches with Zverev.
US Open final: FIRST SET! Ben Shelton 3-6 Alexander Zverev
20:02 , Jamie BraidwoodOuch. On 30-30, Shelton errors on his backhand side to bring up set point, where Shelton chucks in a double fault. That’s just how we started the first set and it makes it one to forget for Shelton. It’s extremely comfortable for Zverev. He’s winning 94 per cent of his first-serve points while Shelton is down at just 55 per cent.
Routine so far for the top seed.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-5 Alexander Zverev
19:56 , Jamie BraidwoodShelton gets into a promising position on 15-30 and then has a look at a forehand winner form midcourt but gets his favourite shot all wrong, sending it long of the baseline.
Zverev finds a first serve and overhead winner, then bombs down another big first serve to get the hold. Shelton is playing uphill when Zverev is in that type of serving form.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-4 Alexander Zverev*
19:50 , Jamie BraidwoodZverev drags Shelton into a deuce game on serve but the American is able to pick apart his deep return positioning to stay within touch.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 2-4 Alexander Zverev
19:45 , Jamie BraidwoodThere we go! A spark from Shelton as he points to his ear after leaping to reach a Zverev backhand pass and steer the volley into the open court to get to 0-30.
Zverev closes the net and puts the volley away then finds a big first serve that puts Shelton on the back foot and earns the German another free point. A crunching backhand winner from Zverev is then followed by an ace.
When he gets his first serve in play, Zverev has won 100 per cent of his points. But that spark was encouraging from Shelton.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 2-3 Alexander Zverev*
19:38 , Jamie BraidwoodEight consecutive points won by Shelton on serve after he was broken in the opening game of the final.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 1-3 Alexander Zverev
19:36 , Jamie BraidwoodA double fault from Zverev is cheered from the top of the rafters but the German bounces back to take the hold. He produced a gutsy forehand winner down the line on 30-30 but found the inside of the lines. Shelton then nets on the baseline exchange.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 1-2 Alexander Zverev*
19:29 , Jamie BraidwoodJust what Shelton needed. A love-hold and some powerful serving. Actually, that’s just what he needed in the first game of this final.
That’s what nerves can do.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 0-2 Alexander Zverev
19:28 , Jamie BraidwoodA dominant start from Zverev in front of the watching stars, such as Brad Pitt and Pierce Brosnan. The top seed gets the opening hold with a powerful series of points that pushed Shelton deep. The home crowd responds with some encouragement for Shelton.
US Open final: BREAK! Ben Shelton 0-1 Alexander Zverev*
19:24 , Jamie BraidwoodWell that’s a high quality exchange already and it’s only on the second point. Shelton looks to pull Zverev in from the baseline but the German gets there with clever touches around the net.
0-30 already to Zverev and a half-chance. Shelton replies with an 141mph serve out wide and then a volley into the open court. Can he get out of trouble here? Nope, Shelton pulls his forehand wide going for the winner.
And he double-faults on break point! Ouch. A nervy start from Shelton and he gifts Zverev the opening break.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 0-0 Alexander Zverev
19:20 , Jamie BraidwoodShelton won the toss and will start this final on serve. I think he’d like a routine hold.
*denotes next server
US Open final: Ben Shelton v Alexander Zverev
19:17 , Jamie BraidwoodWe had former world No 1 and tennis legend Stan Smith helping us with the coin toss. Smiles from Shelton and Zverev before we get going.
Ben Shelton v Alexander Zverev
19:11 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we goooo. Ben Shelton walks out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium choosing a song on his phone and with his ears wrapped in massive headphones. Pressure? He looks chilled. He’s followed out by Alexander Zverev. The top seed has headphones, too, but around his neck. No prizes for guessing who got the loudest cheer.
History awaits 🏆
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2026
It’s Alexander Zverev against Ben Shelton for the US Open men’s singles title! pic.twitter.com/CdHHYJPvTz
Ben Shelton v Alexander Zverev
19:08 , Jamie BraidwoodLast year we had Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner in the US Open men’s final, but Ben Shelton ending the USA’s 23-year wait for a men’s grand slam champion would make this final even more memorable than last year’s Sincaraz trilogy. Alexander Zverev is out to spoil the party, though.
Ben Shelton v Alexander Zverev: US Open final coming up!
19:03 , Jamie BraidwoodWe are just minutes away from the US Open men’s final. It’s been a sodden day in New York but the clouds are clearing and the roof will be opening soon for the final between top seed Alexander Zverev and young American Ben Shelton.
Ben Shelton v Alexander Zverev: Who can join recent list of winners?
19:00 , Jamie Braidwood2026?
2025 Carlos Alcaraz bt Jannik Sinner 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4
2024 Jannik Sinner bt Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-4 7-5
2023 Novak Djokovic bt Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3
2022 Carlos Alcaraz bt Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6(1) 6-3
2021 Daniil Medvedev bt Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 6-4
2020 Dominic Thiem bt Alexander Zverev 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(6)
2019 Rafael Nadal bt Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4
2018 Novak Djokovic bt Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3
2017 Rafael Nadal bt Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4
2016 Stan Wawrinka bt Novak Djokovic 6-7(1) 6-4 7-5 6-3
Elena Rybakina dethrones Aryna Sabalenka at US Open to cement best-in-the-world status
18:45 , Andy SimsElena Rybakina proved herself to be the undisputed world number one after claiming her first US Open title.
The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan knew she would be top of the rankings from Monday, overtaking her opponent Aryna Sabalenka, whatever the outcome of Saturday’s final.
A defeat would have certainly taken the shine off that achievement, but instead she was crowned the new queen of Queens at Flushing Meadows after a 6-4 5-7 6-2 victory.
Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka at US Open to cement best-in-the-world status
The Rafael Nadal advice that helped Ben Shelton into first grand slam final
18:30 , Andy SimsBen Shelton took advice from Rafael Nadal before his break-out run to the US Open final.
The 23-year-old from Florida beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5 to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Alexander Zverev on Sunday.
His coach and father, Bryan Shelton, called 22-time grand slam winner Nadal last month after a first-round defeat in Cincinnati.
The Spaniard’s words of wisdom helped his son reset after his sensational five-set win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final.
The Rafael Nadal advice that helped Ben Shelton into first grand slam final
Alexander Zverev's ball-bouncing comes under fire ahead of US Open
18:15 , Jamie BraidwoodAlexander Zverev is going to be facing a partisan crown when he takes on Ben Shelton in the US Open final, and he could do well to not upset the home fans by taking ages over his ball toss. Zverev was given a time violation during his semi-final win against Karen Khachanov, who later complained about the top seed’s ball-bouncing.
“I mean, the way he bounces the ball, look, it annoys not only me, of course, a lot of players, because it takes so much time,” Khachanov said.
“You don’t know how to prepare for the serve. You are, like, ready, and then it’s another 12 bounces, you know, so you again do a split step. Every point is like that.
“At the end of the day, if it’s within the rules with the time between points, I cannot say anything against that. If he extends the time, then he gets a time violation, so it’s as simple as that.”
Zverev insisted it is not a deliberate ploy. He said: “I have no idea why. I’m not doing it on purpose. I saw a stat, like, I’d bounced it 12,000 times or something like that. That’s quite funny.”
Alexander Zverev's record against left-handed players
18:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAlexander Zverev has a 44-1 record against left-handers since 2023 Roland Garros, with his only loss coming to Learner Tien in Acapulco. Zverev is also 13-0 against left-handers at the grand slam level since retiring against Rafael Nadal in the 2022 French Open semi-finals due to an ankle injury. The German’s rock solid backhand is the main reason behind his excellent record against left-handed players.
Ben Shelton, meanwhile, is aiming to become the first left-handed US Open champion since Rafael Nadal in 2019.
Alexander Zverev leads head-to-head with Ben Shelton
17:45 , Jamie BraidwoodAlexander Zverev has won all five of his previous meetings with Ben Shelton, but this will be their first match at grand slam level and the best-of-five format where Shelton really turns up. Three of those previous meetings came on a hard court, with Zverev defeating Shelton in the Cincinnati quarter-finals last year and again at the ATP Finals in Turin towards the end of last season.
Ben Shelton on aiming to become first Black man to win US Open since Arthur Ashe
17:30 , Jamie BraidwoodBen Shelton can become the first Black winner of the US Open men’s title since Arthur Ashe in 1968, at the stadium which is named in his honour in New York.
Shelton also has the chance to become just the third Black winner of a men’s grand slam singles title after Yannick Noah’s French Open victory in 1983.
“Without Arthur Ashe, my dad probably would have never been playing tennis or had the opportunities that he had to go so far in this sport. This sport has given my family a lot,” Shelton said when asked about the relevance of his finals appearance.
“I think that it's really cool to be able to recognise that and be a part of history every time, playing in a stadium with his name on it. I think that's a pretty great honour to have the biggest stadium in tennis named after you and very, very well-deserved.”
Alexander Zverev's path to second US Open final
17:15 , Jamie BraidwoodAlexander Zverev is back in the US Open for the first time since 2020, when the German lost to Dominic Thiem from two sets up and after serving for the match. He has now won a grand slam title, though, winning the French Open in June for his breakthrough. After also reaching the Wimbledon final this season, Zverev now bids to become a two-time grand slam champion and cap a hugely impressive year.
Zverev was caught up in a couple of epics early in the tournament, playing for almost five hours in rounds one and two. But he’s not dropped a set since then.
- 1R: d. Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 3-6 6-7(7) 7-5 6-4 (4:53)
- 2R: d. Quentin Halys 6-4 4-6 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 6-3 (4:33)
- 3R: d. [25] Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6(2) 6-2 (2:26)
- 4R: d. [21] Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-2 7-6(3) (2:31)
- QF: d. Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2 7-5 6-1 (2:17)
- SF: d. Karen Khachanov 6-3 7-6(7) 7-6(6) (2:58)
Total time on court (19:38), 18-4 in Sets
Ben Shelton's road to first US Open final
17:05 , Jamie BraidwoodThe eighth seed produced the performance of his life to beat the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the quarter-finals, in a match that finished after 3:30am in the morning. Returning a couple of days later to beat Frances Tiafoe was impressive, too.
- 1R 2:35 d. Tallon Griekspoor 1-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2
- 2R 3:24 d. Hubert Hurkacz 6-3 5-7 7-6(3) 7-5
- 3R 3:22 d. Denis Shapovalov 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4
- 4R 1:52 d. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3 6-4
- QF 4:28 d. [2] Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(7)
- SF 3:17 d. [11] Frances Tiafoe 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5
Total time on court 18:58, 18-6 in Sets
When is US Open final and how to watch
17:01 , Jamie BraidwoodThe US Open men’s final begins at 7pm UK time (2pm ET). It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Tennis in the UK and ESPN in the US.
Good evening and welcome
17:00 , Jamie BraidwoodHistory is on the line as Ben Shelton faces Alexander Zverev in the US Open men’s final. The last time an American man won the title in New York, Shelton was one month away from his 1st birthday. Not since Andy Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 has an American man won the US Open and the home crowd will be fully behind their home hope against the top seed Zverev.
