Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina have been crowned the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively at the 2026 US Open, with both players securing major victories in New York.
Germany’s Zverev claimed his maiden US Open title after defeating American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in the men’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The victory gives the top seed his second Grand Slam title of the year, following his French Open triumph earlier in 2026.
Zverev’s victory also erased painful memories from 2020, when he surrendered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in his first US Open final.
This time, despite strong support for Shelton from the home crowd, the German maintained his composure and sealed the championship in four sets.
Shelton, competing in his first Grand Slam final, had been hoping to end the long wait for an American male Grand Slam champion.
His defeat means the drought continues, with Andy Roddick remaining the last American man to win a major in 2003. Shelton’s run was nevertheless historic, as he became the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
In the women’s final, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to capture her first US Open crown.
The victory also gives Rybakina her second Grand Slam title of 2026, after she defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Rybakina’s triumph also sees her take over as the new world number one, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the WTA rankings.
The Kazakhstani had earlier battled past Coco Gauff in the semifinals before producing another composed performance against Sabalenka in the final.
The 2026 US Open therefore ends with two new champions in New York, as Zverev finally conquers Flushing Meadows while Rybakina adds the US Open trophy to her growing Grand Slam collection.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/ Jones Adzi
