Zverev defeats Shelton to win US Open men's singles title

Germany's top seed Alexander Zverev captured his second Grand Slam crown of the season by defeating American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final. Zverev served effectively throughout the match, landing 69% of first serves and winning 85% of first-serve points, while Shelton struggled with double faults in key moments of the opening set.

Shelton rallied to win the third set 7-5, extending the contest to a fourth set, but Zverev broke early and held his advantage to close the match. The victory makes Zverev the fourth player in the Open Era to win his first two major titles in the same season, joining Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas and Jannik Sinner.

The win also ends Shelton's bid to become the first Black American man to win the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968 and the first American man to do so since Andy Roddick in 2003. Shelton, who entered the tournament after a first-round loss at Wimbledon, reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 and added a Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open to his résumé.

Zverev's personal life has attracted media attention. In June 2024, a German court case involving allegations of assault by his former partner Brenda Patea was concluded without a verdict; Zverev denied the accusations. A court spokesperson said the truth remains open. Zverev has faced similar allegations from another former partner, Olya Sharypova, which he also denied.

"The truth remains open," a court spokesperson said regarding the unresolved case.

Both players displayed strong serving throughout the final, but Zverev's consistency from the baseline and backhand play gave him the edge needed to secure the title.