Alexander Zverev remained unfazed despite the strong momentum of Ben Shelton to win the US Open for the first time. Zverev downed Shelton, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Sunday.

After beating Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, many believed that Shelton was destined to capture the crown. He followed it up with a victory over Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. He looked every bit of a first-time major champion in the making.

However, Zverev, the world No. 2, knew that this was his year. Playing in the final of a Grand Slam for the third straight time, the pride of Germany made sure Shelton's breakthrough run would hit a dead end.

The 29-year-old Zverev capitalized on the three unforced errors and a double fault by the 23-year-old Shelton early in the fourth set. From there, Zverev never looked back en route to his second major title after topping the French Open in June.

World #2 Alexander Zverev defeats Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 (improves the h2h to 6-0) to win the US Open for the 1st time.

2nd career Grand Slam title.

ATP Race to Turin #1 after the US Open and good chance to finish the season as world #1. pic.twitter.com/Juw1ogMita

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 13, 2026

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He is the first player from Germany since Boris Becker at the Australian Open in 1996 to win a Grand Slam.

“We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title, and now we won two in a span of three months. So I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” said Zverev after the match, as quoted by ESPN's D'Arcy Maine.

He improved to 6-0 against Shelton, who is now the world No. 4—a career-best.

Zverev leaned on his serve, winning 73.3% of his points. He was also terrific at the net, converting 86.2% of his points.