Alexander Zverev conquers the US Open and marks a milestone in his career
Alexander Zverev has managed to redeem himself on the stage where he experienced one of the most bitter moments of his professional career. The German tennis player was crowned US Open champion this Sunday after defeating American Ben Shelton in four sets, with scores of 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, and 6-2, thus consolidating a dream 2026 season.
After three hours and 33 minutes of intense battle on the hard court of New York, the world number two finally lifted the trophy that slipped away from him in 2020. That defeat against Dominic Thiem, where he let a two-set lead slip away, has been officially forgotten thanks to this commanding performance.
A year of historic consecration
With this triumph, Zverev not only adds his second Grand Slam of the year, after having conquered Roland Garros, but also positions himself as the tennis player born in the 90s with the highest number of major titles in his record. This achievement separates him from the group previously led by figures such as Thiem and Daniil Medvedev, reaffirming his competitive maturity.
The victory in New York represents the definitive confirmation of my status as a Grand Slam champion and the closing of a chapter that haunted me for six years.
Alexander Zverev
Mastery and experience on the track
The match against Shelton, who was playing in his first final of a tournament of this magnitude, was largely controlled by the German’s solidity. Zverev stood out with an implacable serve, winning more than 90% of the points on his first serve and managing moments of pressure with the serenity that his career on the ATP circuit grants him.
- Zverev secured the first set by taking advantage of Shelton’s inexperience and unforced errors.
- The second set was decided in a tie-break where the German asserted his hierarchy.
- Although Shelton managed to pull one back in the third set, Zverev regained total control in the fourth, closing out the match with authority.
Impact on the ATP Ranking
The impact of this title transcends the trophy. Zverev now positions himself as the leader in the race to the ATP Finals in Turin, surpassing Jannik Sinner in the total points for the current season. With 9,690 points in the overall ranking, the German stands as the greatest threat to Sinner’s lead, consolidating himself as the most decisive player of this 2026.
For his part, Ben Shelton, despite the defeat, leaves New York with the fourth spot in the ATP ranking, reaching the highest position of his career and proving that he is one of the great realities of world tennis.
