Home / Sports / Unlikely Champion: Zverev Claims US Open Title
Unlikely Champion: Zverev Claims US Open Title
14 Sep
Summary
- Alexander Zverev secured his second Grand Slam of 2026 at the US Open.
- The final was a lengthy three-hour and 33-minute battle against Ben Shelton.
- The tournament saw numerous upsets and unexpected results throughout.
Alexander Zverev emerged as the unexpected champion of the 2026 US Open, securing his second Grand Slam title of the year. He defeated Ben Shelton in a grueling three-hour and 33-minute final on Sunday. This victory adds to his earlier win at the French Open and comes after a chaotic tournament marked by numerous upsets.
The path to the final was tumultuous for Zverev, who narrowly escaped early-round exits. The men's draw saw the early elimination of top contenders like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, while Carlos Alcaraz's status was uncertain due to injury. This created an unpredictable landscape for the latter stages of the tournament.
Zverev's triumph is particularly notable given his previous struggles in Grand Slam finals. He entered the season with an 0-3 record in major finals, including a heartbreaking loss in the 2020 US Open final. His surprise resurgence has capped off a wild and memorable major season.
