Alexander Zverev claims first US Open after four-set battle with Ben Shelton
For a passing moment at the end of a rugged third set, hope sprung anew for Ben Shelton. He had been outserved and outplayed for nearly three hours, but at 6-5 in the third set, one game from defeat, the American finally broke through. He burst into the return game finally pounding his forehand freely and he willed himself into an unexpected fourth set.
TL;DR
- Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to win his second Grand Slam title of the year.
- Zverev's win makes him the fourth man in the open era to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same campaign.
- Shelton's aggressive play and comeback attempt in the third set were ultimately unsuccessful against Zverev's steadier baseline game and superior serving.
- Zverev now leads Shelton 6-0 in their head-to-head matches.
- The article notes past abuse allegations against Zverev, which he denies, and mentions a settled assault case in Germany.
- Ben Shelton achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 and reached his first Grand Slam final during his summer run.
- The ATP tour's Grand Slam season was impacted by injuries to top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.