Alexander Zverev favourite, but Ben Shelton has American dream firmly in sight
Alexander Zverev enters the US Open men's singles final as the favourite after turning a shaky start into a dominant run. But Ben Shelton is high on confidence after his Alcaraz and Tiafoe wins and is chasing a historic American triumph.
Alexander Zverev will walk into the US Open final as the firm favourite, but Ben Shelton has something far more powerful than rankings and head-to-head numbers on his side: belief.
The top-seeded German has already made 2026 the best season of his career. His French Open triumph in June delivered his first Grand Slam title, and he followed it by reaching the Wimbledon final. Now, after returning to the US Open championship match for the second time, Zverev has the chance to make an already remarkable year even better by adding another Grand Slam trophy to his collection.
Standing in his way is a 23-year-old American who has spent the past fortnight turning confidence into conviction.
Shelton enters Sunday's final after beating Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an emotionally charged all-American semi-final. The victory made him the first Black American man to reach the US Open men's singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He is also the first American man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2003.
ZVEREV TURNS SHAKY START INTO TITLE CHARGE
It is easy to forget just how close Zverev came to an early exit.
The German needed five sets to get past Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round and was again pushed the distance by Quentin Halys in the second. After two matches, the world No. 2 had already spent a huge amount of time on court and appeared vulnerable.
Since then, however, Zverev has looked like a different player.
He has not dropped a set in his last four matches, beating opponents with increasing authority before defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the semi-final. His ability to stay composed in the two deciding-set tie-breaks underlined the maturity that has developed in his game this season.
The numbers underline his consistency. Zverev has reached his third consecutive Grand Slam final and his sixth overall, having already lifted the French Open trophy this year. He is also unbeaten in five meetings with Shelton, although that record comes with an important caveat: none of those matches has been played at a Grand Slam.
For a player who once endured the heartbreak of losing the 2020 US Open final from two sets up, this is another opportunity to rewrite his Flushing Meadows story.
SHELTON’S ALCARAZ WIN CHANGED THE BELIEF
If Zverev's strength is experience, Shelton's greatest weapon may be the confidence coursing through him.
The American arrived in New York as a dangerous player, but his five-set victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz changed the complexion of his tournament. Shelton had never beaten a player of Alcaraz's stature at a Grand Slam and had previously struggled against the very best in the sport.
He changed that narrative in spectacular fashion.
Shelton beat the Spaniard in a match that finished at 3:33am, producing one of the biggest wins of his career. He used his enormous serve, aggressive forehand and willingness to come forward to repeatedly disrupt Alcaraz's rhythm. The victory did more than send him into the semi-finals — it convinced Shelton that he belonged on the biggest stage.
That belief was evident against Tiafoe.
After losing the opening set 4-6, Shelton did not panic. Instead, he raised his level, attacked the return and repeatedly put pressure on his compatriot. Even when the match tightened in the fourth set, Shelton showed immense nerve to close it out 7-5 and book his first Grand Slam final.
He now has a chance to complete the biggest breakthrough of his career.
A HISTORIC AMERICAN DREAM AWAITS
Shelton is carrying more than his own ambitions into the final.
A victory would make him the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Roddick's triumph at the 2003 US Open. It would also make him the first Black American man to win a men's singles Grand Slam title since Arthur Ashe.
That history will inevitably form part of the atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But Shelton has repeatedly shown that he is capable of handling the weight of expectation. Against Alcaraz, he survived a five-set battle deep into the night. Against Tiafoe, he recovered from losing the opening set and dealt with the emotional intensity of an all-American semi-final.
The pressure will be greater against Zverev, but so too will be the opportunity.
Shelton's route to the final has also been anything but straightforward. Before facing Alcaraz, he had already beaten several established opponents, including Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He arrived in New York fresh from winning the Montreal title and has emerged as one of the most dangerous players in the tournament.
ZVEREV HAS THE NUMBERS, SHELTON HAS MOMENTUM
On paper, the final favours Zverev.
The German leads Shelton 5-0 in their career meetings and has dropped only one set against him. He has also been through this situation before, having played major finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Yet history will not win Sunday's final.
Shelton is a significantly more complete and confident player than the one Zverev faced in their previous meetings. His serve can earn him cheap points, his athleticism allows him to defend from difficult positions and his willingness to attack the net gives him another dimension.
Zverev, meanwhile, will look to use his superior experience, powerful first serve and heavy baseline game to prevent Shelton from dictating.
The German has already conquered one Grand Slam this year. He now stands one victory away from making 2026 the defining season of his career.
Shelton stands one victory away from something potentially even bigger: a first Grand Slam title, an American revival and a place in history alongside Arthur Ashe.
The favourite is clear. The dream belongs to Shelton.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton Head-to-Head
Overall
Matches - 5, Alexander Zverev - 5, Ben Shelton - 0
Road to the final
Alexander Zverev
- Round 1: Lorenzo Sonego — 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4
- Round 2: Quentin Halys — 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-7(3), 6-3
- Round 3: Alejandro Tabilo — 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2
- Round 4: Luciano Darderi — 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3)
- Quarter-final: Botic van de Zandschulp — 6-2, 7-5, 6-1
- Semi-final: Karen Khachanov — 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6)
Ben Shelton
- Round 1: Tallon Griekspoor — 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2
- Round 2: Hubert Hurkacz — 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5
- Round 3: Denis Shapovalov — 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
- Round 4: Stefanos Tsitsipas — 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
- Quarter-final: Carlos Alcaraz — 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7)
- Semi-final: Frances Tiafoe — 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5
When to watch the US Open 2026 men’s singles final?
The US Open 2026 men’s singles final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton will not begin before 4:00 PM local time (September 12), 01:30 AM IST (September 13).
Where to watch the US Open 2026 men’s singles final?
Star Sports Network has the broadcasting rights for the US Open 2026 men’s singles final. Live Streaming of the matches will be available on JioHotstar.