US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev vs. Ben Shelton Final Preview

Alexander Zverev Reaches Second New York Final

Top-seeded Alexander Zverev defeated unseeded Karen Chačanov 6:3, 7:6 (7), 7:6 (6) in the opening semifinal match on the tournament’s hard courts, as reported by tournament records. Zverev broke Chačanov’s serve in the eighth game of the first set to secure a 6:3 win. The second and third sets proved much closer, with Chačanov pushing both frames to tiebreaks. According to match accounts, the German player overcame a 3:5 deficit in the second-set tiebreak and recovered from a 0:3 deficit in the third-set tiebreak to close out the match in three sets.

The victory marks Zverev’s second career appearance in the New York final, following his loss to Dominic Thiem six years prior. According to tournament statistics, the world number two is now pursuing his second grand slam title following his victory at Roland Garros earlier in the season. Reflecting on his campaign, Zverev stated in his post-match interview provided by the source material, Niekedy idú veci vaším smerom. V minulosti som sa trápil na najvyššej úrovni na grandslamových turnajoch, viackrát som bol blízko. Možno teraz Boh povedal – toto bude tvoj rok, jednoducho si to užívaj na kurte.

Ben Shelton Advances in All-American Semifinal

Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton defeated eleventh seed Frances Tiafoe 4:6, 6:3, 6:3, 7:5 in an all-American semifinal clash lasting three hours and 18 minutes, according to České noviny. Tiafoe claimed the opening set after breaking Shelton at 4:4. However, Shelton responded by capturing the second and third sets behind a strong first serve and effective returning. In the fourth set, Shelton secured the decisive break in the twelfth game after Tiafoe committed a double fault on match point.

View this post on Instagram about open 2026 alexander zverev, Alexander Zverev US Open

Shelton, who defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, will now compete for his first grand slam title. Bol to pre mňa veľmi náročný zápas. Frances je ako môj veľký brat, odohral skvelý turnaj, Shelton said in his post-match comments reported by the wire services. He aims to become the first American male to win the US Open singles title since Andy Roddick triumphed in New York in 2003.

Historical Context and Expert Analysis

Former Argentine tennis player Juan Martin del Potro, working as a television analyst for ESPN’s Latin American broadcast, weighed in on the matchup. According to Del Potro’s statements cited in the reports, Americký mužský tenis má potenciál na to, aby ukončil európsku nadvládu na grandslamových turnajoch. Del Potro remains the last non-European player to capture a men’s singles grand slam title, having defeated Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final.

Head-to-head records show that Shelton holds an unfavourable 0:5 record against Zverev. While Zverev enters the match with greater grand slam final experience—having reached the championship match at Roland Garros and Wimbledon earlier in the year—Shelton carries the backing of the home crowd at Flushing Meadows.