Alexander Zverev defeats Ben Shelton in the final of the US Open 2026

Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton are playing the first set of the US Open final this Sunday. The world number two could not have started the first set of the match better than with a break against the American. Afterwards he limited himself to defending his serve and with 5-3 in favor, he broke Shelton's serve again to score the first set of the final. The second round was much more even than the first, with the American growing in the match. The second set went to a tie-break and that was where Zverev stepped up to score the second point of the final. Again, maximum equality in the third round. Although this time Shelton made a breakthrough at 6-5 on the scoreboard to break Zverev's serve and score the third set.

The German tennis player seeks to achieve his second Grand Slam after lifting the Roland Garros trophy this summer. To do so, they will have to overcome the American host, who will play in their first major final. Zverev began the tournament somewhat hesitant and dropped two four sets in the first two matches against Sonego and Halys. Although after that suffering, he has reached this final without losing any more rounds to Tabilo, Darderi, Van de Zandschulp and Kachanov. Shelton, on the other hand, only won 3-0 against Tsitsipas, although he left Carlos Alcaraz behind in the quarterfinals before eliminating his compatriot Tiafoe in the semifinals. This will be the sixth time that these tennis players face each other and in the previous five the German emerged victorious.

5 - 7

BEN SHELTON CONQUERS THE THIRD SET OF THE OPEN USA FINAL!!!! AND WHEN WE ARRIVE AT 2 HOURS AND 50 MINUTES, THE FINAL RELIEVES WITH A NORTH AMERICAN AND A RELEASED PUBLIC, AND A DUMPED WORLD NUMBER 2!!!!

5 - 7

Alexander Zverev's volley goes wide

15 - 40

Alexander Zverev's second topspin serve, Ben Shelton can't specify the rest and the ball goes wide

0 - 40

TRIPLE SET BALL FOR BEN SHELTON!!! VIBE NEW YORK!!!

0 - 40

Alexander Zverev's forehand goes wide

0 - 30

WANTED SET BALL AT THE ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM AT THE BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER!!! 0-30

0 - 30

Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net

0 - 15

Great forehand from the back of the court by Ben Shelton that beats Alexander Zverev and gets the point

5 - 6

Because all the energy and vitality is on Ben Shelton's side now that he transmits the smile and tranquility necessary to, at least, secure the Tie Break. That is, SUBTRACT AGAIN TO CUT DIFFERENCES IN THE GRAND FINAL OF THE OPEN USA.

5 - 6

Alexander Zverev's forehand goes wide

15 - 40

Ben Shelton's dumpling crashes online

0 - 40

Ben Shelton with a fabulous drop shot from the back of the court that Alexander Zverev doesn't reach scores the goal

0 - 30

Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net

0 - 15

Great forehand from the center of the court by Ben Shelton that beats Alexander Zverev and gets the point

5 - 5

With that 88% of first serves won, Alexander Zverev has shaken off a dangerous 15-15 at this point in the set to continue maintaining his serve, despite his tired and limping gestures.

5 - 5

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

40 - 15

Shot from the net by Alexander Zverev that does not give Ben Shelton a chance

30 - 15

Ben Shelton's passing shot goes wide

15 - 15

Great backhand shot from the back of the court by Ben Shelton that beats Alexander Zverev and gets the point

15 - 0

Ben Shelton hits his backhand shot into the net

4 - 5

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE ENTIRE FINAL BEN SHELTON REMAINS TO WIN A SET!!!! Much more energy in the arm of the American, who closed blank, against a more contemplative Alexander Zverev. It is clear that the weight of the balance of exchanges has changed sides.

4 - 5

Ben Shelton's second topspin serve, Alexander Zverev can't specify the rest and the ball goes wide

0 - 40

Ben Shelton with a volley close to the net gets the point

0 - 30

Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net

0 - 15

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

4 - 4

Ben Shelton hits his backhand shot into the net

40 - 30

AND "SASHA" IN HER WORST MOMENT IN RALLS, WITH THE SHADOW OF THE BREAK BALL BEHIND, HAS MADE A SPECTACULAR PASSING TO MAKE BEN SHELTON HIMSELF FALL IN HIS ATTEMPT TO REACH THE BALL!!!! 40-30.

40 - 30

Alexander Zverev's impressive passing shot from the back of the court beats Ben Shelton and helps him win the point

30 - 30

Alexander Zverev suffers with the seconds and his rod once again gives Ben Shelton hope to once again enjoy another break opportunity. 30-30.

30 - 30

Alexander Zverev's forehand goes wide

30 - 15

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

15 - 15

Shot from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that gives Ben Shelton no options

0 - 15

Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net

3 - 4

BEN SHELTON HAS NO PROBLEM WITH SERVICE AND IS NOW WAITING TO ENJOY SOME BREAK OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN THE EXCITEMENT AT THE END. The 84% of firsts, and the 88% of firsts won in this third round indicate this.

3 - 4

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

15 - 40

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

15 - 30

Ben Shelton's volley goes wide

0 - 30

Impressive lob from the bottom of Ben Shelton's court that Alexander Zverev fails to return

0 - 15

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

3 - 3

.... And two free points from the serve give him the game, Alexander Zverev wakes up in time.

3 - 3

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

Ad - 40

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

40 - 40

AND THE ROLAND GARROS CHAMPION WAKES UP FROM HIS SLEEP WITH A FIRST PUNCH AND STANDING ON TOP OF THE BALL WITH HIS CROSS BACKHAND IN THE FORM OF A WINNER!!!

40 - 40

Alexander Zverev's backhand from the center of the court beats Ben Shelton

30 - 40

FIRST BREAK BALL OF THE ENTIRE US OPEN GRAND FINAL FOR BEN SHELTON.

30 - 40

Alexander Zverev's forehand goes wide

30 - 30

An acrobatic and forced backhand volley that Alexander Zverev has sent very far, and a bad second serve that has ended with an even worse forehand will break the dynamic of the server and compromise his game. 30-30.

30 - 30

Alexander Zverev's backhand goes wide

30 - 15

Alexander Zverev's volley goes wide

30 - 0

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

15 - 0

Ben Shelton's forehand goes wide

23

BLANK GAME AGAIN FOR BEN SHELTON. The tennis player who was serving has won 14 consecutive points. That is the highlight at this point in the grand final of the 2026 USA Open.

23

Great forehand from the back of the court by Ben Shelton that beats Alexander Zverev and gets the point

0 - 40

Great forehand from the center of the court by Ben Shelton that beats Alexander Zverev and gets the point

0 - 30

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

0 - 15

Shot from the center of the court by Ben Shelton that gives Alexander Zverev no options

2 - 2

Alexander Zverev returns the score to equality thanks to two direct serves (eight aces in total) and two free serve points. Blank. The rhythm has disappeared, it usually happens after a Tie Break.

2 - 2

Alexander Zverev's second topspin serve, Ben Shelton can't specify the rest and the ball goes wide

40 - 0

Alexander Zverev's ace with a flat serve that Ben Shelton cannot return

30 - 0

Alexander Zverev's topspin serve, Ben Shelton can't specify the rest and the ball goes wide

15 - 0

Alexander Zverev's ace with a flat serve that Ben Shelton cannot return

1 - 2

BLANK FOR BEN SHELTON!!! NINE ACES TO HIS ACCOUNT!!! The match once again declines in intensity and rhythm, nothing to do with the atmosphere that reigns at Arthur Ashe, which vibrates every time its player scores a point.

1 - 2

Ben Shelton's ace with a flat serve that Alexander Zverev cannot return

0 - 40

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

0 - 30

Ben Shelton's ace with a flat serve that Alexander Zverev cannot return

0 - 15

Alexander Zverev's backhand goes wide

1 - 1

THERE IS NO WAY. Alexander Zverev with a free serve point and a great cross backhand manages to take the game forward and debut in this third set without any major problems.

1 - 1

Great backhand shot from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Ben Shelton and gets the point

40 - 30

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

30 - 30

Now the disturbing 30-30 is for Alexander Zverev who is pulling first and little else, since the long exchanges are already going to the American. Will Ben Shelton get a break ball?

30 - 30

Alexander Zverev's forehand goes wide

30 - 15

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

15 - 15

Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net

15 - 0

Ben Shelton's forehand goes wide

0 - 1

Ben Shelton's pulse does not tremble despite starting with a disturbing 30-30. He returned to being efficient at the net, and then winning a free point with his serve.

0 - 1

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

30 - 40

Ben Shelton with a volley close to the net gets the point

30 - 30

Ben Shelton hits his forehand into the net

15 - 30

Ben Shelton's ace with a flat serve that Alexander Zverev cannot return

15 - 15

Ben Shelton's forehand goes wide

0 - 15

Easy drop shot by Ben Shelton that wins the point

7 - 6

It is true that he has won long unforeseen exchanges in key points and that in the volley at the net he is impregnable, but Alexander Zverev, with his 93% of first wins, his forehands against his rival and his consistency, is ensuring that the match does not deviate on his way to the title.

7 - 6

Ben Shelton is filled with energy every time he wins points or decisive games, especially in spectacular fashion. He has wanted to dominate with his impetus and his courage but that has sometimes led him to rush.

7 - 6

Ben Shelton is paying for his bad start to the match and a Tie Break to which everything has gone against him, mainly because his enemy there has shown why he is number 2 in the world. He has never come back from 0-2 down in a five-set match.

7 - 6

ALEXANDER ZVEREV WINS IN A SERIOUS AND SOBER WAY THE GRAND FINAL OF THE OPEN USA BY 6-3 AND 7-6 IN AN HOUR AND 50 MINUTES!!! Everything is going according to plan, now it's the most difficult part: closing it.

7 - 6

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

6 - 2

FOUR SET BALLS FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV AND PLACE HIM ONE SET AWAY FROM CONQUERING HIS SECOND GRAND SLAM OF HIS LIFE!!!

6 - 2

Ben Shelton's backhand goes wide

5 - 2

Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net

5 - 1

WE CONTINUE LOOKING FOR THE SET BALL AT THE ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM AT THE BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER IN NEW YORK!!! Change of field. 5-1

5 - 1

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

5 - 0

ALEXANDER ZVEREV CONFIRMS THE MINI BREAKS AND IS PLACED WITH A 5-0 ON THE SCORE!!! About to achieve that longed-for Set Ball.

5 - 0

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

4 - 0

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

3 - 0

SECOND MINI BREAK FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV WHO HAS INCREASE HIS LEVEL!!! Great acceleration with the forehand to finish smoothly at the net with the two-handed backhand. 3-0.

3 - 0

Alexander Zverev wins the goal with a backhand from the net

2 - 0

It's not hard for Ben Shelton to go up to the net, press and be very impetuous, and for that the best recipe is a good passing. WHAT A PARALLEL FROM ALEXANDER ZVEREV WHO ALREADY HAS A MINI BREAK. 2-0.

2 - 0

Alexander Zverev's impressive passing shot from the back of the court beats Ben Shelton and helps him win the point

1 - 0

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

6 - 6

AND THANKS TO BEN SHELTON'S DETERMINATION WE ARE GOING TO TIE BREAK!!!! 4-0 FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV IN THE SUDDEN DEATHS FACE TO FACE.

6 - 6

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

40 - Ad

Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net

40 - 40

The match travels between the haste of Ben Shelton, the genius of the American with the volleys on the net and the now shrinking of Alexander Zverev in the long exchanges. Deuce.

40 - 40

Ben Shelton's forehand goes wide

30 - 40

Ben Shelton with a volley close to the net gets the point

30 - 30

Ben Shelton's flat serve, the rest of Alexander Zverev goes out

30 - 15

Alexander Zverev's forehand goes wide

30 - 0

BEN SHELTON IS AGAIN FALLING PRECIPITATION AND ALEXANDER ZVEREV THREATENS WITH THE SET BALL IN THE ARTHUR ASHE!!! 0-30.

30 - 0

Ben Shelton's forehand goes wide

15 - 0

Ben Shelton's volley goes wide

6 - 5

ALEXANDER ZVEREV SECURES THE TIE BREAK IN THE SECOND SET. He remains allied with the lines and with the percentage of first wins (92%). So it will remain to be 2-0 in the grand final of the USA Open.

6 - 5

Alexander Zverev's ace with a flat serve that Ben Shelton cannot return

40 - 15

Alexander Zverev's backhand goes wide

40 - 0

Alexander Zverev's flat serve, the rest of Ben Shelton goes out

30 - 0

Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Ben Shelton and gets the point

15 - 0

Ben Shelton's backhand goes wide

5 - 5

BEN SHELTON TIES THE SECOND SET ACROBATICLY FOR THE DELIRIUM OF ARTHUR ASHE!!! At 30-30 the American has managed to win an exchange with Alexander Zverev, and even more so with the two-handed backhand, something that he has celebrated as he deserves.

5 - 5

Shot from Ben Shelton's net that doesn't give Al a chance