Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the 2026 US OPEN FINAL on Arthur Ashe Stadium. An American man is one match from ending a 23-year wait, against an opponent who has never lost to him. Ben Shelton is the story of the tournament. The eighth seed reached his FIRST GRAND SLAM FINAL by beating Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American semifinal — and he got there the hardest way imaginable, dethroning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a five-set classic that finished at 3:33 A.M., the latest finish in US Open history. He is the FIRST AMERICAN MAN IN A GRAND SLAM FINAL SINCE ANDY RODDICK IN 2003, the first Black American man in a US Open final since ARTHUR ASHE IN 1972, and the first in any major final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996. He's had a career-best season: four titles in Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart and Montreal, and a 39-13 record. Alexander Zverev has finally become the player everyone expected. The top seed broke through at ROLAND-GARROS this year for his first major, then reached the WIMBLEDON FINAL, and has now made at least the semifinals at ALL FOUR Grand Slams in 2026. This is his SIXTH major final and his third in a row. He beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) to get here, and he was a US Open finalist back in 2020, when he led Dominic Thiem by two sets and lost. And here's the brutal part for American hopes: ZVEREV IS 5-0 AGAINST SHELTON. Four of those five wins came in straight sets, and he has taken 10 of the 11 sets they've played — Shelton's only set came in their very first meeting in Cincinnati. They have never met at a Grand Slam. Pedigree against momentum. Experience against a crowd that will be deafening. Who wins the last major of 2026? 🎾 IN THIS VIDEO - Exactly how Zverev has beaten Shelton five times - What Shelton has added this season that could flip it - Whether the crowd genuinely moves a Grand Slam final - Prediction and predicted scoreline 📊 MATCH INFO Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam) Round: FINAL — Men's Singles Players: Alexander Zverev (GER, 1st seed, French Open champion) vs Ben Shelton (USA, 8th seed) Head-to-head: Zverev leads 5-0 — first ever meeting at a Grand Slam Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026 Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York At stake: First American men's Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick (2003); Zverev's second major 💬 Who lifts the trophy? Predicted scoreline in the comments. 👍 Like if you've followed the whole fortnight with us 🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for full post-final reaction - Mantis 10%: https://mantissport.com/qualityshot10 (At Checkout) - IM8 10% OFF: https://im8.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=2077 (Code QST10 at Checkout) - Acemate: https://www.acematetennis.com?sca_ref=11586466.udoQ3GLV6m55xoG1&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=standard-affiliate-commission&utm_content=affiliate-QualityShot-Tennis --- Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos. ⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP or the US Open. #BenShelton #Zverev #USOpen