Alexander Zverev

“Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open on Sunday, expunging the memory of a bitter Flushing Meadows defeat with his second Grand Slam title.”

“He denied Shelton's bid to become the first US man in 23 years to lift a Grand Slam trophy. The 23-year-old Shelton was one month shy of his first birthday when Andy Roddick hoisted the 2003 US Open trophy in the last major triumph for a US man. Hopes were high that Shelton could end the drought after his epic five-set quarter-final victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, and a come-from-behind win over compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. But Zverev's all-court excellence proved too much for Shelton, despite the support of a star-studded Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd trying to will the American to victory. With their backing, Shelton surged in the third set, eliminating the errors that Zverev had ruthlessly exploited. Serving to extend the set, Zverev fell behind 0-40. Shelton fired long on his first set point but on the second Zverev's forehand volley went wide. Shelton had his first break of the match and they were headed to a fourth set. Zverev responded immediately, running Shelton ragged through a 24-shot rally until Shelton sailed a backhand wide to drop his serve in the opening game of the fourth set. Even with a break in hand, Zverev was feeling the tension, from a determined Shelton and the hostile crowd. At 30-30 in the fourth game, he received a time violation warning as he prepared to serve, but shook it off and won the game with a crisp crosscourt backhand that put him up 3-1. He rolled home, lifting his arms in triumph after Shelton fired a serve return long on match point and finally receiving his own huge cheer from the crowd.”

“Top seed Zverev held off 50th-ranked Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6) to reach his third straight Grand Slam final — a run that delivered his maiden major at the French Open and saw him finish runner-up at Wimbledon.”

“Zverev once again closed the action on Ashe, beating 21st-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).”

“But unlike the French Open champion's previous two matches which went the full five-set distance in the small hours, the German made relatively short work of Tabilo, winning 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in 2hr 26min.”

“Zverev, who was bidding to become the first German man to win the trophy since Michael Stich in 1991, will climb above Alcaraz to second in the ATP rankings on Monday.”

“Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev swept into the Wimbledon final in ruthless style on Friday, leaving broken dreams in their wake as Novak Djokovic and Arthur Fery fell short in their bids to make history.”

“The Italian world number one will meet French Open champion Zverev in Sunday's title match following the German second seed's 7-6 (7/0), 6-2, 6-4 rout of British wildcard Fery.”

“Zverev, who is brimming with confidence after finally winning his maiden Slam title at Roland Garros last month.”

“Zverev, bidding to become the first German man to win the title since Michael Stich in 1991, is not worried about having to take on the crowd.”