Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Sep 14: World No. 1 Alexander Zverev captured his second Grand Slam title and second major of the year by defeating American Ben Shelton in the US Open men's singles final, 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.

With his hard-fought victory lasting three hours and 33 minutes, Zverev has moved 700 points clear of Jannik Sinner atop the ATP Live Race to Turin, positioning himself strongly to finish as the ATP Year-End No. 1.

The German, who was contesting his sixth Grand Slam final and third of the year, boasts a 25-2 record at the majors in 2026. He is firmly in contention for the year-end crown, with both of his titles this season coming at Grand Slam events following his maiden major triumph at Roland Garros earlier this spring.

In an emotional victory speech, Zverev paid a special tribute to his mother, opening up about personal challenges: “When your 4-year-old son gets diagnosed with diabetes and doctors in the office tell you that life and sports will be very limited for that child, it takes a very, very strong mother to walk out of those offices and say ‘My son will be whatever he wants to be.’”

“If he wants to be a tennis player, he’ll be a tennis player. If he wants to do something else, he’ll do something else. But this illness will not define us. And I’m happy that we worked through it, and that we’re doing things that we’re doing right now," he added.

Shelton was attempting to become the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick achieved the feat at Flushing Meadows 23 years ago, as well as only the second African American man to win a Grand Slam singles title after Arthur Ashe in 1975.

Despite failing to overcome the top seed in his debut major final, the 23-year-old—who defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals—will reach a new career-high position of World No. 4 in the upcoming ATP Rankings.