German top seed Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in four sets to win the US Open, marking his second major title of the year.

Alexander Zverev secured his second Grand Slam singles title on Sunday by defeating American Ben Shelton at the US Open. The German top seed won the final in four sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This victory follows Zverev's win at the French Open in June, capping a season in which he has reached the semifinals at all four major tournaments.

A Career-Defining Season

Zverev’s performance in 2026 has been the most successful of his career, boasting a record of 25 wins and two losses in major matches this year. By reaching the semifinals at all four Grand Slams, he became the ninth man in history to achieve the feat in a single season. The victory in New York serves as redemption for Zverev, who previously lost the 2020 US Open final after surrendering a two-set lead.

The Final Match Atmosphere

Playing before a crowd that largely supported the American finalist, Zverev noted he was so focused that he did not initially realize he had won the match, mistakenly believing the score was 5-1. Ben Shelton, appearing in his first major final, was attempting to become the first American man to win the US Open since 2003. Zverev acknowledged the intense atmosphere during the trophy presentation, noting that while the crowd favored his opponent, they remained fair throughout the match.