Zverev beats Shelton to claim men's singles title at US Open (updated)

Alexander Zverev holds the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

NEW YORK, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany beat home favorite Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open men's singles final on Sunday.

The victory marked Zverev's second Grand Slam singles title after his triumph at Roland Garros earlier this year.

Zverev had won all five of his previous meetings with Shelton and made a strong start, taking the opening set 6-3.

Eighth-seeded Shelton responded in the second set and forced a tiebreak, but Zverev prevailed 7-6 (2). The American then won 90 percent of points on his first serve to take the third set 7-5.

In the fourth, the 29-year-old Zverev gave Shelton few opportunities to break and sealed the victory 6-2.

"We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam and now we won two in the span of three months," Zverev said to his team after the match. "I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before."

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Ben Shelton reacts during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Ben Shelton celebrates scoring during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Ben Shelton hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev reacts during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev (R) of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States pose for photos during the awarding ceremony after their men's singles final match at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Ben Shelton hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Ben Shelton hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Alexander Zverev kisses the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Ben Shelton of the United States at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Rui)