The issues
In a few months, Alexander Zverev changed his status. The best Grand Slam player in 2026 is him. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz won the eight Grand Slam tournaments in 2024 and 2025, but they each experienced physical problems this year and Zverev, the undisputed third man, took full advantage of this to offer himself a performance of choice: competing in three consecutive Grand Slam finals and on three different surfaces. There are only sixteen players in the Open era (1968) to have achieved this performance. His first Grand Slam title won in June at Roland Garros freed the 29-year-old German from a weight. Beaten by his nemesis Sinner in the Wimbledon final, Zverev has a great opportunity to erase a traumatic memory. In September 2020, the 1.98 m giant led two sets to nothing against the Austrian Dominic Thiem and even came within two points of victory. But the German lost in five sets, the first of his six Grand Slam finals.
Ben Shelton, semi-finalist of the US Open in 2023 and the Australian Open in 2025, discovered this stage of competition in a Major at the age of 23. With behind him, the immense expectations of the Americans who await a successor to Andy Roddick, last representative of the star-spangled banner crowned in a Grand Slam. It was in 2003, already at the US Open.
To know
“Big Ben” with his 1.93 m can count on his serve. The US bomber, author of 20 aces in the last four against his compatriot Frances Tiafoe, notably managed one flashed at 144 mph (231 km/h). The routine for this exceptional server who does not often miss the finals. Of his seven contested on the big circuit, he has won five, including two Canadian Masters 1000 (2025 and 2026).
Long classified as the best player to have never won a Major, Zverev was able to get rid of this label which stuck to his skin like Captain Haddock's plaster. A solid second player in the world, he could even have his eye on the supreme throne since in the event of success in New York on Sunday, he would be a little less than 2,000 points behind world number 1 Jannik Sinner, still injured and out of the US Open due to a right knee injury.
The Stat
In his 44 confrontations against left-handers since his debut on the big circuit, Zverev has won… 43 times. Ben Shelton has been warned…
Their journeys
Evil tongues will say that Zverev is very lucky. During this US Open, as at Roland-Garros, he will have reached the final without facing a single member of the Top 20. The highest ranked opponent he has defeated? Darderi, 22nd in the world in the round of 16. However, everything was not so simple for the unfortunate finalist of the 2020 edition. He needed five rounds to overcome the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, 89th in the world (6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4), then the French Quentin Halys (52nd) (6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3). “I improved pretty drastically” as the tournament went on, he said. His next opponents, Alejandro Tabilo, Luciano Darderi, Botic van de Zandschulp and Karen Khachanov were beaten in three sets. In the semi-final, against the Russian Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6), the German suffered but was the strongest in key moments.
A more complicated course for Ben Shelton who practically had to fight every lap. With success in four sets against Tallon Griekspoor (1-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-2), Hubert Hurkacz (6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 7-5), then Denis Shapovalov: (7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4). A demonstration in the 8th against Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-2, 6-3, 6-4). Before signing the feat against the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6). At the end of the night and the suspense, the 9th in the world released the Spaniard back after an injury after four months of absence. In the semi-final, Shelton once again had a few scares against his compatriot Frances Tiafoe (12th) (4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5).
The confrontations
Nothing reassuring for the American. The Atlanta native did not win any of their five duels on the circuit and only stole a set from him during their first confrontation at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati in 2024. Nothing to worry the American: “I was trailing 1-0 in my duels with Stefanos Tsitsipas (beaten in the round of 16, Editor's note), 3-0 by Carlos, Tiafoe had beaten me the last time we met. faced on this court (Arthur-Ashe). I think I'm totally up for the challenge. I think I managed the most important matches of my career quite well. Confidence takes precedence.” To be confirmed.
They said
Ben Shelton: “I feel like I’m a different player. I feel like I have a lot more tools at my disposal. I feel like I know my identity, I feel good about myself and I know what I need to play tennis at the highest level. So yes, I approach this challenge with enthusiasm, with the desire to solve the problems that will arise on Sunday. I know what I expect, and I also have more confidence than ever in my game.
