ATP Tour: Alexander Zverev defies Ben Shelton to win 2026 US Open, claim second Grand Slam title

On the ATP Tour, the US Open is the final Grand Slam of the year and takes place at Flushing Meadows in New York.

This year’s edition felt particularly poignant as home players Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton battled it out in an all-American semi-final on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Shelton emerged victorious, although the 23-year-old was unable to end the States’ long wait for a male slam champion, losing 6-3 7-6 5-7 6-2 in the final to Alexander Zverev of Germany.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer and tennis fan AJ Becker takes a closer look at Zverev’s achievement and other salient stories from the past fortnight in the Big Apple.

Alexander the Great claims title

Prior to 2026, Zverev had some dazzling accomplishments to his name – an Olympic gold medal, the ATP Finals, and seven Masters titles among them.

Yet, Grand Slams are the consensus-approved apex of a tennis career, and the German had endured many brutal and demoralising losses on that stage.

Despite a woeful slam record in 2025 – which reinforced the widespread, hardened opinion that he would never win any – Zverev deserves immense credit for claiming that elusive maiden major at the French Open before following it with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon and then doubling his slam tally at the US Open.

Whilst it must be acknowledged that he has benefited from favourable draws – Zverev did not face a top-10 opponent at Roland Garros nor in New York until the final – 25 slam victories in a single year is a feat unmatched this century outside of the Big Three (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic).

As capable of fast-moving baseline rallies as he is of devastating first serves, Zverev has now captured nine of the 15 biggest ATP tournaments.

His record against left-handed players (one defeat in the last 46) is also extraordinary, even for an upper-tier player.

Shelton makes first Slam final

At times, this year’s runner-up has skirted the line between greatness and irritation, between charming effervescence and insufferable look-at-me-ism.

His mentality on the grandest stages cannot be questioned, however, as Shelton found ways to win against established names in early rounds, paving the way for a thrilling quarter-final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz – his first Grand Slam win over a top-five opponent, concluding at the insane time of 3:33am.

The Georgia native bears stylistic comparisons with certain big-serving left-handers of the past: the likes of Goran Ivanisevic, Greg Rusedski, Michaël Llodra, and Feliciano López.

The 23-year-old may not equal those predecessors yet, but he is more than worthy of their company on a highlights reel.

And considering that American hands were on the trophy more often than not in men’s singles majors during the 1990s – 21 times out of 40 – it seems beyond belief that Andy Roddick in 2003 provided the most recent such occurrence. 

For Shelton and others, those titles now seem within sight, if still out of reach.

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New kids on the Blockx

For all the (justifiable) attention upon Shelton, it is worth noting that other Americans have also given their nation cause for optimism at this competition.

Twenty-year-old Learner Tien became the youngest home athlete to reach the round of 16 since Roddick in 2002, grinding down the highly fancied Jakub Menšík with his trademark resilience and endurance.

In addition, Alex Michelsen made his first major quarter-final appearance at 22, and he did so without conceding a set despite facing in-form opponents Brandon Nakashima and Daniel Merida.

Moreover, European players best characterised as inexperienced at the top level also advanced deep – 21-year-old Frenchman Arthur Gea, a recent title winner in Los Cabos, capitalised on his opportunity as a lucky loser by grinding out victories in gruelling five-set battles and was match point away from being the first-ever lucky loser in a Grand Slam quarter-final.

Elsewhere, Alexander Blockx of the same age – a semi-finalist at the Madrid Masters on clay – flexed his hard-court muscles, storming into the quarter-finals on his main-draw US Open debut. 

The Belgian was responsible for the elimination of seeds Flavio Cobolli and Francisco Cerundolo, demonstrating he clearly has the weapons to excel on all surfaces.

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Shock results for a change

Many past US Opens have had a shock metre on empty, whereas this time round the adrenaline rush brought about by an upset occurred more frequently.

Among the most notable such results were 12th seed Rafael Jodar’s removal at the hands of lucky loser Bu Yunchaokete, who for his part gained a maiden Grand Slam win.

The in-form Arthur Fils likewise fell to a resurgent Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the second week in New York for the first time.

And sixth seed Alex de Minaur was taken out by Dutch underdog Botic van de Zandschulp – an ‘any means necessary’ pragmatist who is no stranger to statement wins against top players.

The end of an era?

Novak Djokovic’s mentality ensures he enters every slam with his sights firmly set on a 25th title.

In reality, the Serbian’s level continues to regress rapidly with each passing tournament.

After being outlasted by Thiago Agustín Tirante in the opening round of the Cincinnati Masters and looking underwhelming during his mixed doubles loss at the US Open, clay-court specialist Mariano Navone took advantage of Djokovic’s declining physical condition to pull off the most memorable win of his singles career.

To witness Djokovic losing in round one of a slam is to spot a rare bird – it occurred only twice in 83 such prior events. 

Whatever this may mean for the 39-year-old, one ramification is that the new rankings will not feature any of the aforementioned Big Three for the first time since 2002.

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Farewell to Stan and Gaël

Stan Wawrinka, the much-loved Swiss who enacted a sensational underdog victory to defeat Djokovic in the final a decade ago, was initially denied his wish to make a final appearance at Flushing Meadows as the USTA inexplicably decided not to award him a wild card.

However, Patrick Kypson’s late withdrawal gave the 41-year-old a condign opportunity to bring the curtain down on his illustrious Grand Slam career.

Gaël Monfils – whose US Open personal best also came in 2016 – isn’t exactly limelight-allergic either.

The Frenchman celebrated his 40th birthday by fighting back from a set down to defeat Paraguayan Daniel Vallejo and attain a 131st, and last, slam win – much to the delight of spectators.

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