Preview: Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head: US Open 2026
Alexander Zverev owns a 5-0 lead over Ben Shelton
Alexander Zverev of Germany downed Russia’s Karen Khachanov in three sets, 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the US Open 2026 semi-finals, making his third Grand Slam final of the season. The top seed held his nerve, winning two tie-breaks en route to his second US Open final.
The German has not dropped a set since his opening couple of rounds, and repeated the same result against Khachanov after spending three hours on court.
Zverev is now level with Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the ATP Live Race to Turin. The World No. 2 won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in May and also made the championship round at Wimbledon. He is 24-2 at majors this year and is on the brink of winning his second Grand Slam title in 2026.
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, and booked passage to his first major final. The last American to win the US Open was Andy Roddick in 2003. Shelton is on the verge of making history and is a win away from the biggest trophy of his career and ending a 23-year wait for a homegrown champion.
In Zverev’s case, the wait for a German man to win in New York will be even longer. Boris Becker was the last German to win the men’s singles title — in 1989.
Shelton is now 4-1 against Tiafoe, with all five matches taking place on home turf, including three at Flushing Meadows. The 23-year-old is the first US Open finalist since Taylor Fritz in 2024.
Related: US Open 2026 – Tickets for Alexander Zverev’s semi-final match cheaper than one honey deuce
Match Details
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- Tournament: US Open 2026
- Round: Final
- Date: September 13
- Venue: New York, United States of America
- Surface: Hard
Preview
Zverev holds a 5-0 advantage over Shelton in their head-to-head. However, the American is fresh off defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the last eight and will ride a wave of crowd support ahead of his first Grand Slam final.
Shelton, the World No. 9, is up to fourth place in the Live Race to Turin and is 4-0 in finals with wins at Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart and Montreal. The Atlanta native had to dig deep against Alcaraz in a match that ended at 3:30 AM local time before defeating compatriot Tiafoe in the final four.
Shelton also made history as the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Ashe lost in five sets to Romanian Ilie Nastase.
Form
- Alexander Zverev: W-W-W-W-W
- Ben Shelton: W-W-W-W-W
Head-to-head record
- Matches: 5
- Alexander Zverev: 5
- Ben Shelton: 0
Stats
Alexander Zverev:
- Zverev has a 52-13 win-loss record in the 2026 season.
- Zverev has a 34-10 win-loss record at the US Open.
- Zverev has won 69% of matches played on hard courts.
Ben Shelton:
- Shelton has a 38-13 win-loss record in the 2026 season.
- Shelton has a 15-4 win-loss record at the US Open.
- Shelton has won 64% of matches played on hard courts.
Related: What’s next for Carlos Alcaraz after US Open 2026 exit?
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton: Betting tips and odds
- Moneyline: Zverev: -142, Shelton +135.
- Spread: Zverev -1.5 (-109), Shelton +1.5 (+103).
- Total Sets: Over 42.5 (-102), Under 42.5 (-105).
- First Set Winner: Zverev -133, Shelton +110.
Match Prediction
Taking on Zverev won’t be an easy prospect for Shelton. The German has won the past 10 sets between them. This will be their first meeting at a major.
Zverev is playing in his sixth Slam final and has reached at least the semis at all four Grand Slams in 2026. His campaign in New York got off to a rocky start, having played back-to-back five-setters against Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys in the opening couple of rounds.
Meanwhile, Shelton has had a productive North American swing, retaining his ATP 1000 title in Montreal and making the finals in New York for the first time. The American has vastly improved since his last clash with Zverev in Turin last year and is currently playing the best tennis of his career.
Result: Shelton to win in four sets.
Where and how to watch the live telecast and live streaming of the Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton final match at the US Open 2026?
The final match between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton will stream live for Indian viewers on Jio Hotstar. ESPN will broadcast the event live in the United States. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports takes over broadcasting duties.
Where is Alexander Zverev seeded at the US Open 2026?
Alexander Zverev is the top seed at the ongoing US Open.
What has been Ben Shelton’s best Grand Slam performance?
Reaching the ongoing US Open final has been Ben Shelton’s best Grand Slam performance so far.
Where to watch the Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton final match at the US Open 2026 in India?
The final match between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton will be streamed live for Indian viewers on Jio Hotstar and telecast on Star Sports Network.
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