US Open Final: Zverev Chases Slam No. 2, Shelton Carries America’s 23-Year Wait

Alexander Zverev wants a second Grand Slam title. Ben Shelton wants his first, and a breakthrough American men’s tennis has awaited for 23 years.

The pair will meet in Sunday’s US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium after negotiating very different tests on Friday. Top seed Zverev beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6), recovering from trouble in both tie-breaks. Eighth seed Shelton came from a set down to defeat fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 and reach his maiden major final.

For Zverev, the match offers another opportunity to build on a breakthrough season. Having finally claimed his first major at Roland Garros and finished runner-up at Wimbledon, the 29-year-old German has now reached three consecutive Grand Slam finals.

For Shelton, it is the biggest match of his career, with the chance to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

Zverev Finds His Nerve When It Matters

The straight-sets scoreline concealed how hard Khachanov pushed Zverev during a semifinal lasting almost three hours.

The German secured the decisive break for a 5-3 lead in the opening set and served it out. The next two sets demanded considerably more resolve.

Khachanov led 5-3 in the second-set tie-break, but Zverev recovered to take it 9-7. In the third, the Russian held two set points at 6-4 in the breaker. Zverev answered by winning four consecutive points to seal his return to the New York final.

It continued a campaign that had begun precariously. Zverev came within two points of defeat in the first round and needed another five-set escape in the second. Since then, he has won four successive matches without dropping a set.

His latest victory took his Grand Slam record for 2026 to 24-2 and secured his sixth major final. After losing his first three championship matches at that level, his French Open triumph has given this season a different complexion.

Shelton’s Breakthrough Meets a Familiar Obstacle

Shelton’s route has included one of the tournament’s biggest victories: a five-set quarterfinal win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz that ended at 3:33am. The 23-year-old has also beaten Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas during the fortnight. US Open

Now comes an opponent he has yet to beat.

Zverev leads their head-to-head 5-0, according to the tournament’s official website. Sunday will be their first meeting at a Grand Slam, giving Shelton a new stage on which to challenge that record.

Zverev also knows the pain of falling short in this particular final: he lost to Dominic Thiem in 2020. Six years later, he returns as a major champion facing a home contender playing for his own breakthrough.

A first US Open title awaits the winner. For Zverev, it would strengthen his finest Grand Slam season. For Shelton, it would turn a fortnight of big victories into the one American tennis has been waiting for.

With inputs from ANI