Alexander Zverev solidified his status as the world’s top seed by capturing his first US Open title, defeating Ben Shelton in a hard-fought four-set match, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2. The victory marks Zverev’s second grand slam title this year, placing him alongside elite company such as Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas, and Jannik Sinner as one of the few men in the open era to achieve two major wins in a single campaign.
The match ended Shelton’s historic bid to become the first Black American man to win the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968, and the first American man to capture the trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003. Despite the loss, the 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough summer, claiming his second Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open and reaching a career-high world ranking of No 4. While his resilience at Arthur Ashe Stadium was evident, particularly during a third-set surge that forced a fourth, his inconsistencies from the baseline and return of serve were ultimately exposed by the German’s tactical precision.
Zverev continued his dominance over the head-to-head rivalry, moving to 6-0 against Shelton. The German’s performance was anchored by an elite service game, where he landed 69% of first serves and secured 85% of points on those deliveries. Shelton struggled with nerves early, opening with a double fault on break point in the first game and repeating the error on set point. In the second set tie-break, Zverev capitalized on two significant mini-breaks to seize control, maintaining a steady baseline rhythm that neutralized Shelton’s powerful left-handed forehand.
The path to this victory took place amidst a challenging season on the ATP tour, which saw many top contenders sidelined by injury, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Zverev’s consistency allowed him to capitalize on these gaps, though his off-court history continues to draw significant scrutiny. Two former partners, Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea, have previously accused the player of physical abuse.
Legal proceedings regarding these allegations culminated in June 2024, when Zverev settled an assault case in Germany involving claims he pushed and strangled Patea, the mother of his daughter. The case concluded without a verdict, with a court spokesperson noting that “the truth remains open.” Zverev has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Public response to these matters has surfaced at major events, most notably during the previous Australian Open, where a fan heckled the player during his ceremony speech, shouting, “Australia believes Olya and Brenda.”
Reflecting on the match’s significance, Zverev’s ability to remain composed under pressure defined the final. Shelton, having recovered from an early exit at Wimbledon to reach his first grand slam final, showed signs of growth that suggest a high ceiling for his future career. However, against a seasoned opponent who neutralizes pace with a world-class two-handed backhand, the young American ultimately found his path blocked in four sets. The report also notes that hope sprung anew for Ben Shelton, for a passing moment at the end of a rugged third set. The report also notes that but at 6-5 in the third set, one game from defeat, the American finally broke through, he had been outserved and outplayed for nearly three hours. The report also notes that cupping his ear to the crowd and admirably trying to initiate a drastic momentum shift, the next sequence was most revealing, after he had finished pumping his fist. The report also notes that a comfortable match-up for the German who served far better than Shelton, remained far steadier from the baseline and, as usual, nullified the effects of the left-hander’s forehand with the quality of his elite two-handed backhand, zverev now leads Shelton 6-0. The report also notes that the first job for both players was to take care of his service, in a match between two of the biggest servers. The report also notes that zverev, meanwhile, served extremely well throughout the match, landing 69% of first serves and winning 85% of first-serve points. The report also notes that then he ended a similarly tense exchange with a vicious down-the-line forehand to take the second mini-break, he snatched the first mini-break with an excellent forehand passing-shot winner off a timid approach from Shelton.
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