US Open 2026 – men’s final: What to expect?

Alexander Zverev (No.1) vs Ben Shelton (No.8)

💪 The context / The current form

With the ultra-dominant duo of world No.1 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in and out of the picture, Alexander Zverev has more than seized his opportunity to rule the men’s tennis landscape.

The 29-year-old has been supremely consistent for many seasons, 2026 represents his seventh year of his career tallying over 50 victories. He’s on 52 right now and is in the Grand Slam groove to make it 53.

Just three months ago, Zverev erased devastation from three major final defeats to capture his maiden Grand Slam at Roland-Garros. Now he’s found the formula, Zverev is hoping to become just the fourth man in the Open Era to win their first two Grand Slams in a single season.

Over to Shelton, the home charge has been building up for this moment with steam since his breakout semi-final run in New York City in 2023. The rocket fuel serve helped collect silverware and his game has developed throughout, gaining second week journeys at all three of the other majors.

Retaining his Masters 1000 Montreal title last month portrayed a player in prime position for a major move. The 23-year wait for an American man to lift a Grand Slam has been distorted by greatness. Roger Federer halted Roddick in four finals during that time span and the Swiss maestro also defeated Andre Agassi in the 2005 US Open silverware showdown. Most recently, Taylor Fritz was denied glory at Arthur Ashe Stadium two years ago by Jannik Sinner.

It’s been close, ever so close. Over to Shelton to secure a special slice of history.

🏆 Their 2026 tournament

Nine and a half hours – that’s what it took a lacklustre Zverev to escape the opening two rounds.

Since then, the Roland-Garros champion has risen through his gears to storm past four challengers.

The German has demonstrated the tennis and major knowhow that has propelled him into three successive Grand Slam finals. He’s going to take some stopping.

1st round: victory against Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 (4hrs 53mins)

2nd round: victory against Quentin Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 (4hrs 33mins)

3rd round: victory against Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2 (2hrs 26mins)

Round of 16: victory against Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) (2hrs 31mins)

Quarter-finals: victory against Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 (2hrs 17mins)

Semi-finals: victory against Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) (2hrs 58mins)

The way Shelton navigated the opening few rounds was impressive. However, the way the fiercely focused and extraordinarily acrobatic American has overcome defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, then his countryman Frances Tiafoe back-to-back, proves this is a different version of Shelton.

The 23-year-old has spoken about his commitment to the sport, “the pursuit and hunger to get better,” and it’s worked a treat. There has been the usual muscular shotmaking, the serve has been scorching, but there has also been grit, tactical tweaks, resilience, versatility, it’s been one hell of a combination to watch on his electric yet methodical path to a maiden major final.

1st round: victory against Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 (2hrs 35mins)

2nd round: victory against Hubbert Hurkacz 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 (3hrs 24mins)

3rd round: victory against Denis Shapovalov 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 (3hrs 22mins)

Round of 16: victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 (1hr 52mins)

Quarter-finals: victory against Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6[10-7] (4hrs 28mins)

Semi-finals: victory against Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 (3hrs 17mins)

🆚 Face-to-face

Pure and simple, with his Grand Slam experience and success, Zverev is the standout favourite.

Boosting that argument, the 29-year-old holds a 5-0 record over the world No.9. Their last two duels have been on hard courts in 2025. Zverev soared to a 6-2, 6-2 Cincinnati Masters scoreboard and then edged to a 6-3, 7-6(6) victory at the season-ending ATP Finals in November.

Both of these players have monster serves, that’s not news. However, it’s surprising Zverev has clattered more aces than Shelton 87-71 this fortnight in the Big Apple. The top seed has also held 101 of 110 service games with a 92 per cent success rate, narrowly pipping Shelton’s 88 per cent.

The American powerhouse’s return has evolved in recent campaigns, attacking from deep, more variety, but it’s going to need to be near perfect on Sunday night to have a chance.

🎤 Heard in media

Alexander Zverev: "Ben is just a big, powerful guy. Massive serve, massive groundstrokes. Everything he does is just big.

“It’s very exciting, I think. I'm happy with how this year went so far, but I've got another big match on Sunday, and that's my focus.”

Ben Shelton: “For me, this whole tournament now at this point has been unchartered territory. I'm in positions I've never been in before.

“I think that problem-solving has been the name of the game here. I was 0-1 against Stef (Tsitsipas), 0-3 against Carlos (Alcaraz), Foe (Tiafoe) beat me the last time we played on this court. It's been a lot of uphill battle.

“I feel that I'm a different player. I feel like I have so many more tools. I feel like I know my identity, am comfortable in my own skin, and I know what it takes for me to be playing top-level tennis.

“So, I think that I'm fully ready for the challenge to problem-solve on Sunday. I'm also the most confident I've ever been in my game.

“I'm having fun, you know? I'm playing against the No.1 seed, Grand Slam final, playing against a Grand Slam champion trying to get my first. It's a lot of reasons that this is an enjoyable moment for me and knowing that I can leave it all out there on the court and push myself to the absolute limit in every way and see what I can do is an exciting, exciting thought.”