US Open Men's Final: Top Seed Alexander Zverev Faces American Sensation Ben Shelton

Top seed Alexander Zverev will take on American sensation Ben Shelton in the US Open men's singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, United States. This Sunday, all American hopes will rest on Ben Shelton, who will chase history in the US Open final against top seed Alexander Zverev. It has been more than two decades since an American man won a Grand Slam singles title, and Shelton’s irresistible form in New York has given his compatriots reasons to dream, even if the 23-year-old will be playing the first major championship final of his career.

Shelton knows his task will be far from easy against a more experienced opponent in Zverev, who only three months ago lifted his first Grand Slam title and is all set for his third straight major final. The German’s dramatic turnaround from digging deep in the initial rounds to sailing through the second week has ushered him to his second US Open final, six years on from his maiden appearance.

Semifinal Results

Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American semifinal, while Zverev booked his place in the final by fighting past unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6).

Head-to-Head

The pair last met at the 2025 ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, as Zverev beat Shelton 6-3, 7-6(6) in a round-robin clash. Overall, Zverev leads Shelton 5-0 in their head-to-head record.

Ben Shelton's Perspective

Shelton, who took down defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, said he is thriving in unfamiliar territory, crediting a newfound consistency for his breakthrough run at this edition. He is bidding to end a 23-year American wait for a men’s singles Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s triumph at the US Open in 2003, and aims to become the first Black American man to capture the New York title since Arthur Ashe in 1968.

Alexander Zverev's Perspective

Six years after an agonising loss in the US Open final to Dominic Thiem, world number two Zverev believes “everything is different” as he returns to the championship match. Zverev earned his maiden major at the French Open by beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in five sets, followed by a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.

Tournament Details

The winner of the US Open men’s singles final will take home $5.5m, while the runner-up will be awarded $2.8m.