Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 13, 2026 ~1 min source read

Alexander 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. 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.

Alexander Zverev claims first US Open after four-set battle with Ben Shelton

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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.

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.

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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. 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.

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  • 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.

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