Alexander Zverev wins US Open, then has a reaction nobody saw coming: Watch
Alexander Zverev won the US Open but it was his reaction that stole the spotlight.
The German defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium to win his first US Open title and second Grand Slam of the year. But when Shelton's forehand went wide on match point, Zverev barely reacted. He appeared to move back towards the baseline, as if preparing for the next point.
For a few seconds, Zverev did not seem to realise the match was over. Then the roar from Arthur Ashe Stadium appeared to wake him up. He raised both arms and looked towards the crowd as the magnitude of his achievement finally sank in.
Zverev had reached championship point. Then came the moment he had dreamed about for years. Shelton faltered with his forehand, sending the ball wide, and Zverev finally had his moment to celebrate. The US Open title, which had once seemed so painfully out of reach, was finally his.HE DIDN'T REALIZE HE'D WON Alexander Zverev exorcises his 2020 demons and defeats Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 to win his first US Open title! pic.twitter.com/f0Cnl2xvgI— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2026FROM 5-SET BATTLES TO NEW YORK GLORYZverev's path to the title was far from easy. The top seed had spent 16 hours and 40 minutes on court before reaching the semi-finals, including two five-set victories in the opening rounds.
He found his rhythm as the tournament progressed, beating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the semi-final to reach his second US Open final, six years after losing to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final.
Waiting for him was Shelton, who was playing in his first Grand Slam final after a stunning run that included a five-set win over Carlos Alcaraz in a quarter-final that finished at 3:33 a.m.
Zverev started the final with authority, taking the first set and the second-set tiebreak. Shelton fought back to win the third set, but Zverev remained composed and closed out the fourth after three hours and 33 minutes.
His serve was a major weapon, with Zverev landing 69 per cent of his first serves and winning 85 per cent of those points.
The victory adds another major chapter to Zverev's career. After winning his maiden Grand Slam at the French Open earlier this year, he has now added the US Open title.
Six years after the heartbreak of his first US Open final, there was no collapse this time. Just a forehand into the net, a stunned reaction and the realisation that the US Open was finally his.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 14, 2026 04:37 IST
