Confusion reigned supreme at the end as Zverev didn't realise he had won after Shelton lofted his return long past the baseline. It took him a second or two to process the moment, realizing it only when a vocal section of German fans in the crowd erupted.

However, Zverev made sure to gracefully thank the crowd for their amazing support, acknowledging with a smile that almost all of them were backing Ben for obvious reasons. Finally, a huge roar echoed around Arthur Ashe Stadium as Zverev lifted the trophy. He is now a two-time Major champion!

Thanks for tuning in to our live coverage of the 2026 US Open final. Good night!

Alexander Zverev is your new US Open men's singles champion! Heartbreak for Ben Shelton and the partisan home crowd as America's wait for a male Grand Slam champion stretches into another year. It has now been 23 years and counting since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. Glory for Zverev in the Big Apple. He wins his second Grand Slam after the French Open earlier this year.

FULL TIME: Zverev defeats Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4

Zverev holds to make it 4-2. Just one unforced error from the German so far in this fourth set, compared to Shelton's nine-a key stat explaining why this match remains tilted in favor of the reigning French Open champion.

Set 4: Zverev 4-2 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-1 in sets)

Shelton comes up with a line-painting forehand winner to hold! He hangs on by the barest of margins, keeping the pressure on and hoping to force Zverev into a blunder on his serve.

Set 4: Zverev 2-2 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-1 in sets)

A huge roar from the crowd as the chair umpire cautions Zverev with a time violation! The crowd has been fiercely partisan against Zverev, repeatedly interrupting him between his first and second serves. Zverev is quick to silence the crowd as he wins back to back points to take a 3-1 lead in theird 4th set.

Set 4: Zverev 3-1 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-1 in sets)

Shelton responds in style! He comes back from 0-30 down to hold serve. Zverev leads 2-1 and will serve next to keep the American at bay. A little over three hours of play at the Arthur Ashe so far.

Set 4: Zverev 2-1 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-1 in sets)

Zverev breaks Shelton and holds to turn the tables back in his favor. He leads 2-0, putting the pressure firmly back on the 23-year-old American. The crowd has gone quiet once again. Despite repeated requests from the chair umpire, a few rowdy spectators continue to make noise between the German's first and second serves.

Set 4: Zverev 2-0 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-1 in sets)*

Shelton breaks to take the third set 7-5! Game on at Arthur Ashe Stadium! He earned three set points at 0-40, but missed the first after pulling his return just wide. However, Zverev makes a costly unforced error on the next point, volleying a response off Shelton's deep return way wide. We are heading to a fourth set!

Set 3: Zverev 5-7 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-1 in sets)

Zverev holds again, and we are all square at 5-5 in this third set. Shelton has been much better on his serve in this set, and he now gets the chance to put the pressure right back on Zverev.

Set 3: Zverev 5-5 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-0 in sets)

Shelton's girlfriend and lucky charm Trinity Rodman is not in attendance for the final. She was in action for the Washington Spirit during their 3-0 loss to Boston Legacy FC in the NWSL.

Zverev survives again! Shelton has been ultra-aggressive against Zverev's serve in this third set. However, Zverev, retrieving from deep behind the baseline, manages to thread a backhand passing shot past a scampering Shelton, who falls to the turf in disbelief.

Set 3: Zverev 4-4 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-0 in sets)

Shelton holds! That is a much better service game from the American. He lofts a delicate two-handed backhand lob right over Zverev to take a 4-3 lead in the third set. The pressure shifts back to Zverev, who has responded impressively on serve all night.

Set 3: Zverev 3-4 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-0 in sets)*

Zverev survives! Shelton earned his first break point of the match after coming back from 30-0 down. However, Zverev forced deuce with a powerful serve followed by a heavy forehand off Shelton's return. Zverev holds.

Set 3: Zverev 3-3 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-0 in sets)

A couple of holds each for Zverev and Shelton to kick off this third set. Despite trailing by two sets to nil, Shelton has looked sharp early on, troubling Zverev with his explosive forehands.

Set 3: Zverev 2-2 Shelton (Zverev leads 2-0 in sets)

Zverev races to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak after a flurry of return errors from Shelton. Although the American pulled back the next two points, Zverev quickly closed out the set with two big serves, leaving Shelton with no answers on return.

Set 2: Zverev 7-6(2) Shelton (Zverev leads 2-0 in sets)

Shelton saves a set point to level the second set at 6-6! We are off to a tiebreak. Standing deep behind the baseline paid off for Shelton there, giving him the depth and time needed to negate Zverev's forehand.

Set 2: Zverev 6-6 Shelton (Zverev leads 1-0 in sets)

Shelton jumps and crushes the short return straight into the stands to level it at 5-5! He is pumped up, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is electric. Zverev, however, makes light work of his service game, holding to 15 to put the pressure right back on the American.

Set 2: Zverev 6-5 Shelton (Zverev leads 1-0 in sets)

The wait goes on for Shelton as Zverev holds again. The German has been incredible on serve whenever he has fallen 0-15 or 0-30 down, slamming the door shut immediately. Shelton still hasn't had a single sniff at a break point in this match.

Set 2: Zverev 5-4 Shelton (Zverev leads 1-0 in sets)

Zverev holds! A few rowdy fans tried to distract Zverev between his first and second serves. Shelton had managed to push the game to deuce, but Zverev kept his composure to hold.

Set 2: Zverev 4-3 Shelton (Zverev leads 1-0 in sets)

Zverev continues to dominate on serve, and Shelton is yet to make a dent on the return. The German is also looking completely comfortable during baseline rallies so far. Shelton must find a way to make inroads, as Zverev looks far more likely to make the next breakthrough.

Set 2: Zverev 3-2 Shelton (Zverev leads 1-0 in sets)

That is a big hold from Shelton! Zverev had a break point opportunity, but dumped his backhand into the net to allow the American to escape. Shelton was under severe pressure there, but he dealt with it brilliantly.

Set 2: Zverev 2-2 Shelton (Zverev leads 1-0 in sets)

This time, there's no real threat from Shelton as Zverev holds convincingly to put the pressure right back on the American. Shelton has won just seven points on return so far.

Shelton holds! The American comes up with a booming forehand to build a 40-0 lead. Zverev battles back to 40-40, but Shelton responds under pressure, attacking the net to finish off the volleys and level the second set at 1-1.

The first set ends how it started! Zverev breaks Shelton to take the first set 6-3. 40 minutes gone, and the top seed is in cruise control at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Zverev holds for a 5-3 lead, leaving Shelton to serve to keep himself in the set. Zverev is playing in his third straight Slam final and looks more composed on serve. That early break might just cost Shelton the opening set.

From 0-30 down to a big hold! Zverev keeps Shelton at bay, winning four straight points to seal a 4-2 lead in set one.

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli made an interesting tactical observation during her BBC Radio 5 Live: "One thing I have noticed is Zverev targeting the middle and backhand side of the court-Shelton's right side. Shelton wants to run around his backhand to unleash that lefty forehand, but he's getting caught out when he isn't fast enough to get around the ball."

That's much better from Shelton, who keeps himself within touching distance of Zverev. Another dominant hold from Shelton, but it's Zverev who still has the break advantage.

Set 1: Zverev 3-2 Shelton

Zverev survives! The German overcomes early jitters in the fourth game to hold. A pinpoint forehand gives him game point before Shelton finds the net on the return.

Set 1: Zverev 3-1 Shelton

That's some response from Shelton as he goes 40-0 up before nailing a pinpoint ace to hold. That was a big hold from the American, and the home crowd is back on its feet.

Set 1: Zverev 2-1 Shelton

Zverev holds! It's too early to draw any conclusions, but Zverev seems all fired up. Shelton puts his return into the net, and Zverev holds emphatically to go 2-0 up.

Set 1: Zverev 2-0 Shelton

The roof might be closed, but it's Zverev who gets the first break of the match. That's one way to quiet the home crowd. Shelton double-faults on break point to hand Zverev an early break.

Set 1: Zverev 1-0 Shelton

Shelton gets us going on serve, but he is on the backfoot right from the get-go. Zverev takes an early 0-30 lead after Shelton crashes a backhand into the net.

Stakes are massive at Flushing Meadows today: the winner of the US Open men's singles final will pocket a record $5.5 million, while the runner-up takes home a handsome $2.8 million. The total prize pool for this year's tournament reached an all-time Grand Slam high of $108 million.

Zverev leads the head-to-head 5-0 against Shelton. The two last met during the ATP Finals in Turin late last year, where the German won 6-3, 7-6(6). In fact, Shelton has only ever taken a single set off Zverev in their five previous meetings, which came during their very first clash in the 2024 Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.

The last American man to lift the US Open title was Andy Roddick in 2003, having defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final in straight sets. Shelton also aims to become only the second Black American man after Arthur Ashe to win the final Slam of the year. He will have the crowd behind him, with the roof set to be closed for the final.

Can Shelton end America's 23-year men's Grand Slam drought, or will Zverev claim his second major title of the year? Stay tuned as we bring you game-by-game updates, key stats, and live reaction! 

The Big Apple is primed for history tonight at the Arthur Ashe Stadium as we are guaranteed a first-time Flushing Meadows champion. Top seed and French Open champion Alexander Zverev takes on home crowd favourite Ben Shelton in a blockbuster showdown.