Alexander Zverev continues to shine in tennis, securing his second major title at the U.S. Open final, defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2. This victory extends the Grand Slam drought for American men, with the last title dating back to 2003.
Zverev, who earlier triumphed at the French Open, redeemed himself from the disappointment of 2020 by claiming the U.S. Open championship. The top seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, Zverev capitalized on Shelton’s early nerves and displayed a near-perfect tiebreaker performance.
Despite the overwhelming support for Shelton, Zverev acknowledged the incredible atmosphere and fair competition. Shelton aimed to make history as the first American man to win since 2003 and the first Black player since 1968, but Zverev’s dominance this year proved insurmountable.
Zverev’s $5.5 million prize money matched the record set by women’s champion Elena Rybakina. His remarkable season also included a Wimbledon final appearance and the No. 1 seed in New York. Zverev’s hard work and dedication culminated in this well-deserved triumph, erasing any lingering doubts from past defeats.
Shelton, who had defeated the defending champion in a historic late-night match, fell short in his bid to upset the top seeds. Despite the disappointment, Shelton’s promising future in tennis assures fans of more thrilling competitions to come.
Zverev’s strategic play style effectively neutralized the crowd’s impact, maintaining focus during crucial moments. The German star’s composed demeanor and powerful serves proved too much for Shelton to handle, securing Zverev’s place as a dominant force in the tennis world.