Alexander Zverev US Open win has completed a remarkable turnaround for the German tennis star, who defeated Ben Shelton to claim his second Grand Slam title.

The German overcame a hostile home crowd, a determined Shelton and memories of one of the most painful defeats of his career to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows.

For Zverev, the victory represents a remarkable transformation from the player who came agonisingly close to winning the same tournament six years ago.

In 2020, Zverev held a two-set lead over Dominic Thiem and served for the championship before eventually losing in five sets. The defeat left him visibly emotional during the trophy ceremony.

This time, there were no such regrets.

Zverev completes US Open redemption

Zverev’s path to the US Open 2026 title was particularly significant because of what happened in his previous final appearance.

Against Shelton, the German remained remarkably composed throughout the match, even when the American managed to take the third set and briefly threaten a comeback.

Zverev ultimately regained control in the fourth set and closed out the match 6-2.

The ending was almost surreal.

After hitting an unreturnable serve to secure the final point, Zverev initially walked back towards the baseline as though another point was about to begin.

He had become so absorbed in the match that he had not immediately realised it was over.

His team eventually alerted him, prompting a smile and a celebration as the significance of his achievement finally sank in.

From tears in 2020 to Grand Slam champion

The victory provides a striking contrast to Zverev’s previous US Open final.

After losing to Thiem in 2020, the German spoke emotionally about his desire to one day bring the trophy home.

Six years later, he finally achieved that goal.

The triumph also caps an extraordinary 2026 season for the 29-year-old.

Zverev has now won the French Open and US Open in the same year, while also reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the final at Wimbledon.

That makes 2026 comfortably the most successful Grand Slam season of his career.

He is also only the second German man in the Open Era to win the US Open, following in the footsteps of Boris Becker.

Zverev’s serve makes the difference

One of the biggest factors behind the Alexander Zverev US Open win was his serving performance.

The German dominated behind his first serve during the opening two sets, winning 39 of 42 points.

Shelton struggled to create opportunities on return and did not earn a break point until deep into the third set.

The American eventually managed to break Zverev and extend the match, but the momentum did not last.

Zverev responded strongly in the fourth set, limiting Shelton’s opportunities and closing out the championship with authority.

His physical condition also played a major role.

Zverev had already been pushed through five-set matches in the opening rounds, including one encounter in which he came within two points of elimination.

Despite those early challenges, he grew stronger as the tournament progressed.

A new level of mental strength

Physical fitness has long been regarded as one of Zverev’s biggest strengths, but his mental approach appeared just as important during this year’s US Open.

The German maintained his composure even as Shelton received overwhelming support from the New York crowd.

Rather than becoming distracted by the atmosphere, Zverev appeared increasingly focused as the match progressed.

That was particularly noticeable after losing the third set.

Instead of allowing the setback to change the direction of the final, he recovered immediately and produced a dominant fourth set.

His ability to stay locked into each individual point ultimately helped him avoid the kind of collapse that had defined his 2020 final.

Zverev sets sights on world number one

The US Open win also puts Zverev in a stronger position in the battle for the world number one ranking.

He now trails Jannik Sinner by 1,810 points, with two Masters 1000 tournaments and the ATP Finals still to come.

With Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz having dominated the Grand Slam landscape over the previous two seasons, Zverev’s rise has changed the complexion of the men’s game.

His two major victories in 2026 make him one of the leading players in the race for the year-end number one position.

Zverev’s controversial history remains part of his story

Despite his success on court, Zverev remains a controversial figure in professional tennis.

In 2023, he received a penalty order and a €450,000 fine in Germany in connection with allegations of bodily harm involving a former partner. Zverev denied the allegations and objected to the order.

A trial that began in 2024 was discontinued after a week, while a separate settlement was reached between Zverev and his former partner.

Zverev has also faced allegations from another former partner, which he denied. No legal proceedings followed those allegations.

His legal history continues to form part of the wider discussion around his career, even as his achievements on the tennis court continue to grow.

Alexander Zverev finally gets his US Open moment

For years, Zverev’s career was defined partly by how close he had come to winning a Grand Slam.

That narrative has now changed dramatically.

After finally claiming his first major at the French Open earlier this year, he has followed it with a US Open victory that carries an added layer of personal significance.

The player who once stood on the Flushing Meadows court in tears after surrendering a two-set lead has now returned to New York and left as champion.

For Zverev, the journey from that painful defeat to a second Grand Slam title has taken six years.

In 2026, he finally turned those old tears into triumph.

FAQs

1. Who did Alexander Zverev beat in the US Open final?

Alexander Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in four sets, winning 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2.

2. How many Grand Slam titles has Alexander Zverev won?

Zverev has now won two Grand Slam titles, claiming the French Open and US Open in 2026.

3. Has Alexander Zverev won the US Open before?

Yes. The 2026 tournament is Zverev’s first US Open title. He previously reached the final in 2020 but lost to Dominic Thiem after surrendering a two-set lead.

4. Who was the last German man to win the US Open before Zverev?

Boris Becker was the previous German man to win the US Open in the Open Era.

5. Is Alexander Zverev world number one?

No. Zverev is currently behind Jannik Sinner in the rankings, but his US Open victory has moved him closer to the number one position.