German tennis star Alexander Zverev claimed his second Grand Slam title at the US Open on Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton in a four-set final. However, the championship moment came with an unusual twist when Zverev failed to immediately recognize that he had won the match after Shelton’s return sailed long on championship point.
Zverev remained composed at the baseline, having already directed the tennis balls toward the opposite end of the court in preparation for what he believed would be the next game. It was only after glancing toward the scoreboard and the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium that the realization dawned on him. The top seed eventually broke into a smile as he acknowledged his victory with a 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 scoreline.
The 29-year-old explained his momentary confusion to broadcasters, revealing he had miscalculated the match score. He noted that focusing solely on individual points rather than the overall tally had paradoxically aided his performance, particularly during his dominant fourth set. The win marks a remarkable turnaround for Zverev, who suffered a devastating loss in the 2020 US Open final after holding a two-set advantage against Dominic Thiem.
With this triumph, Zverev has secured two major titles in 2026, having also won the French Open earlier in the year. The victory earns him $5.5 million in prize money and positions him as a genuine contender for the world number one ranking as he continues his breakout season at tennis’s highest level.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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