Top seed Alexander Zverev banished bitter U.S. Open memories to beat American ​Ben Shelton 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 in the final on Sunday (September 13, 2026), capturing the ‌title six years after letting a golden opportunity slip ​through his fingers.

The German squandered a two-set lead in ⁠the 2020 title match against Austrian Dominic Thiem but now armed with a champion’s mentality following his breakthrough triumph at Roland Garros in June, he ‌broke American hearts with a devastating display against Shelton.

The home fans were desperate to see Shelton end a 23-year ‌American men’s Grand Slam drought but the eighth seed never ‌found ⁠his top form in his first major final.

In a ⁠battle between two of tennis’ most explosive players, it was Zverev who had all the early firepower, as Shelton’s inexperience showed with a double fault on break ​point in the opening game.

Shelton ‌produced one of the points of the match in the sixth game, scrambling to reach a drop shot and prevailing in a tense exchange at the net.

Encouraged by his team, the American ‌mixed in serve-and-volley tactics in an attempt to shift the ​momentum, but the move proved ineffective and he handed Zverev the set with a double fault.

The partisan crowd ⁠tried to get under Zverev’s skin in the second set, cheering wildly after he produced a double fault in the ninth game. But ‌the German refused to get distracted, surging to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak as the fans desperately chanted “Let’s go, Ben!”

Zverev looked like he would roll to the finish line in the third set as he saved a break point in the sixth game with a lethal backhand winner.

Shelton’s frustration boiled over two games later ‌when he slipped and crashed to the court, prompting the American to let out ​an expletive.

But Shelton dug in his heels, subduing his opponent with a series of powerful groundstrokes from the ⁠baseline to break serve and force a fourth set.

Shelton’s resilience only delayed ⁠the inevitable as Zverev came through a 25-shot rally to secure an early break in the deciding set. He never ‌let go of that advantage as he finally got the chance to hoist the U.S. Open trophy on his 11th appearance ​at the hardcourt major.

Novak Djokovic grinded through physical and internal ailments, made one mistake after another and could not find what it took to beat a feisty, younger opponent who was not intimidated under the lights against tennis’ most decorated player.

The 39-year-old is out of the U.S. Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night (August 30, 2026), losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. It was the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic’s career and became his earliest exit in one in two decades, dating to the 2006 Australian Open. He had never lost in the first round at the U.S. Open.

With this defeat, 21 years to the day of his U.S. Open debut, the question now lingers as to whether this was Djokovic’s final match at this or any Grand Slam.

Djokovic made 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended mere minutes before midnight.

“(It) was very tough for me because you are playing with the GOAT’ on this court,” said Navone, who idolised Djokovic growing up. “For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets. … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”

The record holder with 24 major titles threw up at least once and later appeared to be cramping when he grabbed at his left foot. Djokovic swallowed pills brought to him by a doctor and had his lower back massaged during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets, and he grimaced after several shots.

Throughout his time on court, it was clear Djokovic was not himself, and the wear and tear of sickness and soreness took its toll. The No. 4 seed from Serbia cruised to early 3-0 and 4-1 leads before blowing them and losing the first set — the first time that happened to him in the first round of the U.S. Open since ’06.

With his wife, Jelena, watching from the stands with worried looks on her face, Djokovic had moments where he looked like one of the best to play the sport. His fist pump was reserved after winning the second set, and he put his hand to his ear and gestured to the crowd for applause on the way to taking the third.

But Navone — a 25-year-old from Argentina who earlier this year won his first ATP singles title — did not go away.

Neither did the frustration of not being healthy or at his best. After firing a shot wide in the fourth set, Djokovic landed awkwardly and dropped his racket.

Djokovic all but conceded the fourth set. But he was unable to muster enough for the what would have been his 43rd five-set victory as Navone picked up his first.

“It’s unbelievable,” Navone said. “This means a lot. It’s a dream come true.” It extended a nightmare stretch for Djokovic, who also lost in the first round at the hardcourt tuneup in Cincinnati earlier this month. That was his first action since losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon.

Djokovic expressed hope Saturday that his early exit at Cincinnati gave him more time to prepare for the U.S. Open but acknowledged concern that the first match at any tournament has become challenging for him in recent years. Instead of overcoming the hurdle and building from there, he is left to contemplate an uncertain future