Alexander Zverev wins first US Open title
The German beat Ben Shelton in four sets in New York and declared himself the world's best player, with Sinner injured and Alcaraz out early.
Aleksandr Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final on Sunday, and afterwards declared himself the best player in the world.
It is the German's first US Open title and his second Grand Slam of the year, following his breakthrough win at the French Open. He also reached the final at Wimbledon, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. Sunday's win puts him at 25-2 in Grand Slam matches in 2026.
Shelton, the eighth seed, was playing in his first major final and could not close it out after taking the third set. It was the sixth major final of Zverev's career.
The defeat ended American hopes of a first men's champion at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Zverev's claim rests on the state of his two closest rivals. Sinner withdrew before the tournament through injury, having already won Wimbledon this year. Carlos Alcaraz, champion at the Australian Open in January, went out to Shelton in the quarter-finals after a four-month injury lay-off.
That qualification matters. Zverev is not saying he would beat a fit Sinner or Alcaraz over a full season, only that neither is currently at their best. Whether that holds will be tested soon enough: Sinner and Alcaraz are both entered for the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September.
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