Home hope Ben Shelton bids to make US Open history as the American faces Alexander Zverev in the New York final.
The 23-year-old Shelton is aiming to end the 23-year wait for an American man to triumph at the US Open, since Andy Roddick lifted the title in 2003. Shelton is also aiming to became the first Black man to win the US Open since Arthur Ashe since 1968, and will do so in the stadium that is named after the iconic Ashe.
Standing in Shelton’s way is the top seed Zverev, who is bidding to become a two-time grand slam champion in the season where the German made his breakthrough at the age of 29 at the French Open. Zverev, who was also beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final in July, has won all five of his previous matches with Shelton.
The American will have the home support this time, however, after an inspired late-night victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. After returning to beat his good friend Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals on Friday, Shelton is now just one win away from writing his name in the record books.
Follow updates from Shelton v Zverev in the US Open final, below
Alexander Zverev’s path to second US Open final
Alexander Zverev is back in the US Open for the first time since 2020, when the German lost to Dominic Thiem from two sets up and after serving for the match. He has now won a grand slam title, though, winning the French Open in June for his breakthrough. After also reaching the Wimbledon final this season, Zverev now bids to become a two-time grand slam champion and cap a hugely impressive year.
Zverev was caught up in a couple of epics early in the tournament, playing for almost five hours in rounds one and two. But he’s not dropped a set since then.
- 1R: d. Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 3-6 6-7(7) 7-5 6-4 (4:53)
- 2R: d. Quentin Halys 6-4 4-6 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 6-3 (4:33)
- 3R: d. [25] Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6(2) 6-2 (2:26)
- 4R: d. [21] Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-2 7-6(3) (2:31)
- QF: d. Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2 7-5 6-1 (2:17)
- SF: d. Karen Khachanov 6-3 7-6(7) 7-6(6) (2:58)
Total time on court (19:38), 18-4 in Sets
Jamie Braidwood13 September 2026 17:15
Ben Shelton’s road to first US Open final
The eighth seed produced the performance of his life to beat the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the quarter-finals, in a match that finished after 3:30am in the morning. Returning a couple of days later to beat Frances Tiafoe was impressive, too.
- 1R 2:35 d. Tallon Griekspoor 1-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2
- 2R 3:24 d. Hubert Hurkacz 6-3 5-7 7-6(3) 7-5
- 3R 3:22 d. Denis Shapovalov 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4
- 4R 1:52 d. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3 6-4
- QF 4:28 d. [2] Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(7)
- SF 3:17 d. [11] Frances Tiafoe 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5
Total time on court 18:58, 18-6 in Sets
Jamie Braidwood13 September 2026 17:05
When is US Open final and how to watch
The US Open men’s final begins at 7pm UK time (2pm ET). It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Tennis in the UK and ESPN in the US.
Jamie Braidwood13 September 2026 17:01
Good evening and welcome
History is on the line as Ben Shelton faces Alexander Zverev in the US Open men’s final. The last time an American man won the title in New York, Shelton was one month away from his 1st birthday. Not since Andy Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 has an American man won the US Open and the home crowd will be fully behind their home hope against the top seed Zverev.
Jamie Braidwood13 September 2026 17:00