Shelton bids to end 23-year Grand Slam drought against Zverev in US Open men's final

Zverev vs Shelton - 20:00 CET

Match news and form

Alexander Zverev has endured several brutal and heartbreaking blows on the Grand Slam stage, with some losses cruel and demoralising enough to threaten to derail his career. Yet he kept fighting for that elusive maiden title, and this year, the Grand Slams have finally been kinder to him.

He claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, followed it with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, and has now reached a third consecutive Grand Slam final at the US Open. That makes him the first player since the Big Four, along with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, to reach three or more consecutive Grand Slam finals this century.

While the German's persistent fight to succeed on the Grand Slam stage deserves immense credit, it must also be acknowledged that he has benefited enormously from favourable draws, as well as the injuries and inconsistent form of several elite players, Sinner, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic, this year.

Zverev did not face a top-10 opponent during his French Open title run and has yet to face one at this year's US Open. That has been particularly significant given his long-standing struggles against top-10 players at Grand Slams. In fact, both of his Grand Slam defeats this year have come against top-10 opponents, while he owns a poor 6-20 career record against top-10 players at the Grand Slam stage.

Ben Shelton, in contrast to Zverev, has had a very difficult path to the US Open final. He has faced an established name in almost every round, including Hubert Hurkacz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, and has done a superb job of finding ways to win.

He has also reached his maiden US Open and Grand Slam final while playing just one deciding set, which came in his thrilling quarter-final battle against Alcaraz. The run has also earned him a guaranteed place in the prestigious ATP top four for the first time next week.

For most of this season, Shelton looked far more inconsistent and unconvincing than he had during his previous two years on tour. However, he has gradually addressed those weaknesses, turning 2026 into the best season of his career.

He has already won four titles, one more than his entire career total before this year, and now heads into his maiden Grand Slam final with a perfect 4-0 record in title matches this season. A victory would also make him the first American man to win the US Open since 2003.

Head-to-head

Zverev leads 5-0. Zverev has thoroughly dominated this matchup, winning all five of their previous meetings, including twice on American hard courts in Cincinnati in 2024 and 2025. Notably, he has conceded just one set across those five encounters.

Stats & facts

Zverev is 1-4 in Grand Slam title matches, with all four defeats coming against top-5 opponents.

This is Zverev's second US Open final. His previous appearance ended in a brutal five-set defeat to Dominic Thiem in 2020, despite leading by two sets to love and serving for the match in the deciding set.

Zverev is currently on a 16-match winning streak against left-handed opponents, having suffered just one defeat against a lefty since the start of the 2024 season.

Shelton has won seven of his previous nine ATP title matches.

Shelton has won just one of his seven Grand Slam matches against top-5 opponents, with that victory coming against Alcaraz at the 2026 US Open.

Shelton could become the first American man to win a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

Betting analysis

Shelton has all the factors in his favour to win the title in New York this Sunday. He loves playing on the biggest stages, so the nerves typically associated with a first Grand Slam final may not affect him as much. He will also have immense home support, has navigated a path worthy of a potential champion, and comes in with ideal preparation after winning a big title in Montreal.

However, despite plenty in Shelton's favour, Zverev's incredible run at the Grand Slams this year gives him the edge. He has been by far the most consistent and successful performer at the majors in 2026, with even Alcaraz and Sinner having to dig deep and work extremely hard to beat him.

His exceptional record against left-handed opponents is another major factor, especially given his regular practice against his left-handed brother Mischa. Ultimately, the balance tilts towards Zverev, making him the player to back.

Zverev in 2026

Best results: French Open (title); Wimbledon, Madrid (final)

Best results on outdoor hard courts: US Open (final)

Record: 52-13

Record in the last 10 matches: 8-2

Record on outdoor hard courts: 23-7

Record against top-10 players: 1-7 (career 59-87)

Record in Grand Slam finals: 1-1 (career 1-4)

Record in finals: 1-2 (career 25-18)

Grand Slams: Australian Open (semi-finals), French Open (title), Wimbledon (final)

Zverev at the US Open

Career record: 34-10

Best result: final (2020, 2026)

Last year's result: round of 32

Record in finals: 0-1

Preparation: Montreal (round of 64), Cincinnati (round of 16)

Road to the final: Sonego (6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4), Halys (6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3), (25) Tabilo (6-2, 7-6, 6-2), (21) Darderi (6-2, 6-2, 7-6), Van De Zandschulp (6-2, 7-5, 6-1), Khachanov (6-3, 7-6, 7-6)

Shelton in 2026

Best results: Montreal, Stuttgart, Munich, Dallas (title)

Best results on outdoor hard courts: Montreal (title)

Record: 39-13

Record in the last 10 matches: 9-1

Record on outdoor hard courts: 20-6

Record against top-10 players: 3-2 (career 10-24)

Record in Grand Slam finals: 0-0 (career 0-0)

Record in finals: 4-0 (career 7-2)

Grand Slams: Australian Open (quarter-finals), French Open (round of 64), Wimbledon (round of 128)

Shelton at the US Open

Career record: 15-4

Best result: final (2026)

Last year's result: round of 32

Record in finals: 0-0

Preparation: Washington (quarter-finals), Montreal (title), Cincinnati (round of 64)

Road to the final: Griekspoor (1-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-2), Hurkacz (6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 7-5), Shapovalov (7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4), S. Tsitsipas (6-2, 6-3, 6-4), (2) Alcaraz (6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6), (11) Tiafoe (4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5)

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