Alexander Zverev Claims Second Grand Slam Title at US Open 2026
Zverev's Historic Victory at the US Open
Alexander Zverev triumphed over Ben Shelton to secure the US Open 2026 title, marking his second Grand Slam win of the year following his success at the French Open. This remarkable achievement allowed the German player to break five significant records, further enhancing his reputation in the world of tennis.
Match Highlights
The World No. 2, Zverev, captured his second Grand Slam title by defeating first-time finalist Shelton from the USA in the final held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on September 14. Zverev won the match in four sets with scores of 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2. After taking the first two sets, he faced a strong comeback from Shelton in the third but regained control in the fourth set to clinch the championship.
Records Set by Zverev
Following his victory at the US Open 2026, Zverev made history by becoming the first top seed to win a Grand Slam title without having previously held the world No. 1 ranking. He entered the tournament as the second-ranked player but was elevated to the top seed after Jannik Sinner withdrew.
This season has been Zverev's most successful, highlighted by his major titles at both Roland Garros and the US Open, solidifying his legacy in German tennis.
He surpassed Boris Becker's long-standing record for the most match wins by a German male player in a single Grand Slam season, achieving 25 wins across four tournaments, breaking Becker's previous record of 22 set in 1989.
Zverev also became the first German man to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in a single season, joining an elite group of only nine players in the Open Era to achieve this feat.
Additionally, he became the first German man and the only German singles player since Angelique Kerber to win the US Open singles title in the Open Era, ending a 37-year wait for a German men's singles champion.
Zverev's Journey to Success
Making his professional debut at 16 in 2013, Zverev's quest for a major title defined much of his early career until a transformative 2026 season. He ended a 13-year wait for a Grand Slam title by winning the French Open against Flavio Cobolli earlier this year.
After finishing as a runner-up at Wimbledon, Zverev secured his second Grand Slam title at the US Open, becoming only the fourth player in history to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same calendar year, joining legends like Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas, and Jannik Sinner.
Joining the Ranks of Tennis Greats
With two Grand Slam titles now to his name, Zverev has entered the elite circle of German tennis players with multiple Major victories, joining the ranks of Steffi Graf, Boris Becker, and Angelique Kerber. His titles at the French Open and US Open in a single season have firmly established him among the greats of German tennis history.