Who: Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton What: US Open 2026 men’s singles final Where: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York, United States When: Sunday, September 13, 2pm local time ( ) How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 11am local time ( ) before our live text commentary stream. 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.
But Shelton knows his task will be far from easy. The big-serving youngster faces 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.
Before Sunday’s sold-out clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the matchup: Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American semifinal on Friday, 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). 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. 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.
The local hope 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. Shelton will also aim to become the first Black American man to capture the New York title since Arthur Ashe in 1968. I’ve beaten guys that I’ve never beaten before.
I’m just excited to put it all out on the line.” While Shelton acknowledged the nerves that come with the biggest match of his career, he said the chance to test himself against the top seed was exciting. Knowing I can leave it all on court and push myself to the absolute limit … and see what I can do is an exciting thought.” Six years after an agonising loss in the US Open final, world number two Zverev believes “everything is different” as he returns to the championship match. Zverev admitted his US Open near-miss against Dominic Thiem in 2020 left scar tissue, but all the doubts have finally been dispelled with his maiden major at the French Open.
He followed that with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, and even though he knows he’ll be in hostile territory on Sunday, he relishes the challenge. I’ve played a lot of big matches since then. Back then, of course, it was my first Grand Slam final.
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