Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton Live: US Open Final Updates

Alexander Zverev has made a stronger start in the 2026 US Open men’s final, taking the opening set 6-3 against Ben Shelton at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Shelton has responded in the second set, and the players are level at 3-3, with the American serving next. The latest available live update has Zverev applying pressure through longer baseline exchanges while Shelton continues to rely on his powerful serve and aggressive first-strike tennis.

The match is being played on Sunday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, with the top-seeded Zverev seeking his second Grand Slam title of the season and Shelton appearing in his first major final.

Zverev strikes first

The German made an immediate impact, breaking Shelton in the opening game of the match. Shelton produced an ace at 141 mph during the game but also double-faulted on break point, allowing Zverev to take an early advantage.

Shelton settled after that difficult opening. He adjusted the pace of his serve and held comfortably during the early stages of the set, including a love hold at 3-2.

Zverev, however, remained difficult to break. He used his serve and two-handed backhand to keep Shelton under pressure and moved ahead 5-3 before serving for the set.

Shelton then double-faulted to close the opening set, handing Zverev a 6-3 advantage. The American had not created a break-point opportunity on Zverev’s serve during the set.

Shelton finds his footing in the second

The second set has been more competitive.

Zverev held his opening service game after being pushed to deuce, while Shelton also survived pressure on his first service game of the set. Zverev later held at love to move ahead 2-1.

At 2-2, Shelton faced his first danger of the set. Zverev earned a break point after forcing the American into a double fault, but Shelton saved it and eventually held after reaching deuce.

Zverev then produced one of his biggest serves of the match, firing a 137 mph ace, before holding at love to lead 3-2.

Shelton responded with a quick service game of his own. He hit his fifth ace of the match and finished the game with a backhand winner down the line, holding to love and bringing the second set level at 3-3.

The latest available update has Shelton preparing to serve again.

Zverev has history on his side

The German entered the final with a perfect 5-0 record against Shelton. The pair had already met five times on tour, with Zverev winning all five encounters and taking 10 of the 11 sets played. They had never previously met in a Grand Slam tournament.

Zverev is playing in his third consecutive Grand Slam final. He won his first major title at Roland Garros earlier this year and also reached the Wimbledon final.

This is his second US Open final. He reached the championship match in 2020 and lost to Dominic Thiem after leading by two sets. His run back to the final this year has included two five-set victories in his opening two rounds, followed by four consecutive straight-set wins.

Shelton chasing a historic American title

For Shelton, the stakes extend beyond his first Grand Slam final.

The 23-year-old is attempting to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s US Open triumph in 2003. He is also the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.

Shelton arrived in the final after one of the most demanding runs of the tournament. He defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal that finished at 3:33 a.m., then beat Frances Tiafoe in four sets in the semifinals.

His semifinal victory over Tiafoe was the first Grand Slam final appearance of Shelton’s career. He won that match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

Zverev, meanwhile, reached the final after defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the semifinals.

What happens next

The US Open men’s final remains in progress. Zverev leads by one set, but Shelton has recovered to make the second set competitive at 3-3.

The next phase of the match will determine whether Zverev can extend his advantage or Shelton can level the contest and put the German under greater pressure.

Live score: Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-3 Ben Shelton.

The match is being played at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and this report may be updated as new developments and verified match information become available.