Alexander Zverev captured his second Grand Slam title of 2026 by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-2 in the US Open final. The victory came six years after Zverev squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final. This time, the German world number two remained composed despite a partisan 24,000-strong crowd at Flushing Meadows.

Zverev was so focused he did not initially realize he had won match point, returning to the baseline to play the next point before his team signaled the match was over. "In that moment I was in the zone a lot. I didn't hear noise at all," Zverev said. He dedicated the win to his parents, particularly his mother, who supported him after his childhood type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

Former champions Marion Bartoli and Annabel Croft praised Zverev's fitness and mental strength. After early five-set struggles, Zverev did not drop a set from the third round onward. His serve proved decisive, winning 39 of 42 first-serve points in the first two sets.

The triumph completes a remarkable year that included French Open glory and finals at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.