Listen to this articleDear 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated using AI-based technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve results. Alexander Zverev’s best year in tennis continues, as does the long Grand Slam drought for American men. Zverev won his second major championship and disappointed a crowd that was desperate to see the first Grand Slam title by an American since 2003, beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday in the US Open final. Zverev finally broke through to the majors by winning this year’s French Open and continued adding to the title in New York that he so painfully let slip away in 2020. The No. 1 seed at a Grand Slam for the first time, he took advantage of Shelton’s shaky start in his first major final, played a near-perfect serve break and then held off Shelton’s comeback attempt in front of a desperately cheering crowd. Shelton was trying to win the first title by an American since Andy Roddick won at Flushing Meadows in 2003, as well as becoming the first black player to win the men’s crown since Arthur Ashe in 1968. But Zverev was too good in the majors this year and apparently didn’t even know how good he was. He finished the match with his serve, but didn’t seem to notice and stepped back behind the baseline as if he were about to return. Only moments later did he realize he had won and raised his arms in celebration. HE DIDN’T REALIZE HE HAD 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—usopenZverev improved to 25-2 in big matches this year and won $5.5 million, equaling the prize won by women’s champion Elena Rybakina on Saturday as the largest prize in Grand Slam history. He thought this title would arrive in 2020 and still recognizes that this is how it should be. He won the first two sets against Dominic Thiem and came within two points of victory before becoming the first man to blow a two-set lead and lose in the final since 1949. Whatever ghosts remain from then have now disappeared. Zverev also reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Jannik Sinner, and became the number one seed in New York when the top-ranked Sinner had to withdraw with a knee injury. Shelton had already eliminated the defending champion when he beat Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal that ended at 3:33 a.m. ET, the last result in US Open history. The American men’s drought continues. But he fell short on Sunday in his bid to become the first man to beat No. 1 and No. 2 seeds en route to the US Open title since 1975. The No. 8 seed fell to 0-6 against Zverev, winning a set on Sunday for the second time. Shelton, 23, hopes to get more opportunities, but Americans who have grown tired of waiting to celebrate a men’s title wanted him now. Fans stood and screamed when Shelton emerged from the tunnel before the game, but it gave them no reason to continue cheering once the game began. He served first, lost the first two points and finally handed the game to Zverev with a double fault. Zverev maintained that lead the rest of the set, which ended with another double fault from Shelton. Zverev’s deliberate style of play helped limit the crowd’s effectiveness. Fans are expected to calm down as a player prepares to serve and remain silent until the next point is completed. Zverev bounces the ball several times (sometimes around 10, maybe a dozen, sometimes almost 20, insisting that there is no set pattern or plan) before he begins to throw, thus ensuring long periods of silence. – but Zverev, who said before the match that he enjoyed hostile crowds, seemed unaffected. Zverev then squandered Shelton’s chance to tie the match in the tiebreaker. Shelton returned Zverev’s first serve long, was beaten by a magnificent pass and then found himself on the wrong end of a 16-shot rally as Zverev took a 3-0 lead. Zverev then hit serves of 147 mph and 124 mph that Shelton couldn’t get back into play. Shelton cut the score to 5-2 and then hit a one-time return in play, but Zverev won the point and then hit another serve at 139 mph to close out the scoring.
