Zverev Beats Shelton in 4 Sets for 2nd Major as No. 1 Race Tightens

Q: What secret fueled Zverev's unstoppable 2026 season to capture the US Open crown after his French Open triumph?

The key to Alexander Zverev’s 2026 breakthrough was a mix of tactical change, improved mentality and physical durability. The biggest on-court shift was his more aggressive approach. By his own account, Zverev made a conscious decision this season to attack more with his forehand and finish points when the chance appeared, rather than relying mainly on rally tolerance and his backhand. That added initiative to an already elite serve made him harder to disrupt over two weeks at majors. Just as important was his mindset. After years of near-misses in Grand Slam finals, including the 2020 US Open collapse and losses in Melbourne and Paris before his Roland Garros title, Zverev said this season he felt freer and more able to enjoy the moment. At the US Open he also pointed to humor within his team after two shaky five-set starts, saying that ability to laugh at how badly he had played helped him reset and improve round by round. His fitness and health also underpinned the run. While several rivals struggled physically, Zverev stayed available, went deep at every major and entered the US Open with a 24-2 Grand Slam record in 2026. He followed the French Open title with a Wimbledon final and then the US Open crown, showing both endurance and consistency. So the “secret” was not one hidden trick, but a season-long formula: a bolder forehand-based game plan, calmer belief after finally winning a major, and the physical resilience to sustain that level across the biggest events.

Q: How did an injured Rybakina secure the World No. 1 ranking without practicing for a week before the US Open?

Elena Rybakina secured the world No. 1 ranking by turning a compromised buildup into a winning US Open run, helped by the ranking math already swinging in her favor and by elite performance once the tournament began. She arrived in New York with a left ankle/foot problem that had forced her to retire in Cincinnati and left her unable to hit for seven days. She said it was painful even to walk at first. Her team focused on recovery, consulted multiple doctors, and benefited from her not starting until Tuesday, which gave her extra time to test the foot and regain enough movement to compete. Once play began, her game translated immediately. Rybakina’s serve remained one of the best in the sport, and on the fast US Open courts it protected her even without full preparation. She did not drop a set in her first four matches, produced a clinical win over Naomi Osaka, then came through tougher three-set tests against Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff before beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final with 12 aces. The ranking shift was also built on months of results, not one fortnight alone. Over the past year, Rybakina had piled up titles, finals and top-10 wins, while Sabalenka’s lead had narrowed significantly. By the US Open, Rybakina had enough momentum in the rankings race that a deep run in New York was all she needed. Reaching the semifinals guaranteed No. 1; winning the title confirmed it emphatically.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Sep 13

Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open men's final, sealing his first New York title and second career major.
The match turned in the fourth set, when Shelton's level dipped after expending heavy energy in the second and third sets and Zverev capitalized.
The victory strengthens Zverev's push for the year-end No. 1 ranking, with Jannik Sinner now within reach after Zverev entered the season still seeking a first major.
Shelton still leaves New York with a milestone, rising to world No. 4 on Monday for a career-high ranking.