CHARLESTON, S.C. – – Alexander Zverev is the best men’s tennis player in the world these days.
Ben Shelton put up a good fight, but he really wasn’t in Zverev’s league on Sunday.
And this may have been a different U.S. Open with a healthier Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who had practically owned the game in recent years before sitting out much of 2026. I’m sure career Grand Slammer Alcaraz will be in better shape in 2027 than when he returned to his game at this U.S. Open, only to suffer a loss in the quarterfinals to Shelton.
But now the 29-year-old Zverev is holding a pair of Grand Slam tournament titles, and he likely will win others. Instead of being held back by the games of Alcaraz and Sinner, Zverev will be one of the players to beat everywhere he goes.
Zverev is a lucky guy, especially so in adding this tournament’s winner $5.5 million check to his $40 million treasure chest.
In the process of winning French and U.S. Open Grand Slam events, Zverev is now a player to be reckoned with. The guy just may be as good as Alcaraz and Sinner.
Other titles may be waiting for the 6-6 star who became the first German to win the U.S. Open in 37 years. He has the biggest and best serve in the game, as well as some of the biggest strokes. Yes, that’s the amazing Zverev. He’s tough, but humble.
On Sunday before a packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Zverev proved himself again. He did drop that third set, but came right back to dominate Shelton who had too many flaws in his game to prevent Zverev from notching a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory.
The muscular 6-4 Shelton seemed to be everywhere with his mobility, power and leaping ability. But on this 13th day, the 23-year-old was no true match for the very lucky and talented Alexander Zverev.
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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.
