Alexander Zverev claims first US Open after four-set battle with Ben Shelton

Key Points:

• Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in four sets (6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2) to claim his second grand slam title of the year, becoming the fourth man in the open era to win his first two majors in the same season.
• Zverev maintained a dominant head-to-head record against Shelton, now leading 6-0, showcasing superior serving, baseline steadiness, and an elite two-handed backhand that neutralized Shelton's forehand.
• Shelton showed resilience by forcing a fourth set after nearly three hours but was ultimately outplayed, particularly struggling with his serve and baseline game during critical moments.
• The match highlighted a challenging ATP season marked by injuries to top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, with Zverev capitalizing on consistency to secure major victories despite off-court controversies.
• Shelton, at 23, achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 and his first grand slam final, indicating significant potential for growth despite current vulnerabilities against elite opponents.