Alexander Zverev won his maiden US Open title, defeating American hope Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final. The victory marks the end of the United States' 23-year wait for a men's Grand Slam singles champion, with Shelton unable to capitalize on home-court advantage in his first major final.
Zverev, who also won the French Open earlier this year, showcased a steady and confident performance against the 23-year-old left-hander. Shelton struggled to find consistency throughout the match, with his powerful serve, which frequently exceeded 140 mph, not enough to overcome Zverev's controlled play. The German managed to break Shelton's serve early in the first set and maintained pressure, dictating the tempo with his backhand and enduring long rallies.
Despite a brief resurgence in the third set where Shelton broke Zverev's serve, ending a streak of 67 consecutive holds, the momentum shifted back in the fourth. Zverev secured an early break and maintained his advantage, quelling the crowd's energy. The partisan New York crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium at times resorted to heckling, but Zverev remained focused.
Zverev, a type-1 diabetic, managed his condition during the match by administering insulin injections to maintain his blood sugar levels. This US Open victory follows previous Grand Slam final appearances, including a loss in the 2020 US Open final, indicating significant growth in his ability to perform under pressure.
While Zverev's clinical game may not appeal to all spectators, his capacity to seize major opportunities this year has been notable. His path to this title, like his French Open win, has seen him capitalize on the absence of top contenders like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the later stages of the tournaments. Zverev has a history of domestic abuse allegations, which he denies, and which were settled out of court in 2024. His victory over an American player in New York is unlikely to boost his popularity in the United States.