Alexander Zverev wins US Open for second Grand Slam title

Alexander Zverev has won his second Grand Slam title by claiming the US Open, adding the New York trophy to the Roland-Garros crown he secured in June. The victory marks a major change in the German’s career at a tournament where he had previously suffered one of his most painful defeats.

The world number two beat American Ben Shelton, ranked ninth, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final on Sunday. The result gives Zverev his first US Open title six years after he lost the tournament’s championship match in his first Grand Slam final.

The 29-year-old’s success also extends a strong run in the major tournaments. He reached a third straight Grand Slam final in New York, following his victory in Paris and a loss to world number one Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. Zverev had long been regarded as one of the leading players yet to win a major title; that distinction no longer applies.

Zverev remains second in the rankings and has never held the number one position, but the US Open victory will take him to within fewer than 2,000 points of Sinner. Shelton will rise to fourth on Monday, the highest ranking of his career, as he approaches his 24th birthday. For Zverev, the New York triumph combines a second major title with a clear reversal of the disappointment from his earlier final there.