'Incredible' Ben Shelton backed for future US Open title by Alexander Zverev after final defeat - 'I'll be back'

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US Open champion Alexander Zverev backed runner-up Ben Shelton to be a future winner of his home Grand Slam, after the American fell short in Sunday's final in New York. Shelton embarked on an outstanding run at Flushing Meadows, beating the 2025 champion Carlos Alcaraz en route to Sunday's showpiece.

Highlights: Zverev upsets home crowd to clinch US Open title with win over Shelton

Video credit: SNTV

The 23-year-old - in his first major final - appeared overawed when he fell two sets behind to the German, who clinched his second Grand Slam title of the year after also winning the French Open this summer.

And Zverev had high words of praise for his opponent after the 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"Ben, you're an incredible player, incredible person," Zverev said. "This was your first Grand Slam final, but I've already told you, you're going to be back here many times.

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"If I have to bet all my money on it, I'd bet you'll lift this trophy one day. I want to say well done to Ben's team, Bryan [Shelton, Ben's father], everyone there. Everyone is just as important over there as they are this side of the court."

Shelton cut an understandably forlorn figure during the post-match trophy ceremony, having ignited hopes of a potential comeback with an outstanding third set, only to be hit with an agonising pair of breaks in the fourth.

"Thank you to the fans who showed up today, the fans at home, the people that have been here all week, stayed until four in the morning," Shelton said.

"You guys drove me, brought me to the place that I'm here today, the position I want to be in, in the final of these tournaments.

"I'm just getting started, and I'll be back here again."

Shelton was tasked with a difficult run to Sunday's final, with three former top-10 players in his opening four rounds: Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

He then had to overcome Alcaraz - the defending champion - in a marathon quarter-final which finished at 3:33am local time, the latest finish in US Open history.

Shelton then came through a four-set encounter with compatriot Frances Tiafoe to book his place in the final, and the test against Zverev proved a step too far.

"This is my happy place. This is the place that I love to spend time and I wish this tournament never ended, so thank you all," Shelton said.

Shelton's defeat means Andy Roddick still stands as the last American man to win the US Open, having done so in 2003 with a straight-sets victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero.

There have since been four American runners-up, including Roddick in 2006, beaten by Roger Federer in the final, a year after Andre Agassi was also beaten by the Swiss star.

Taylor Fritz was the next home player to reach the final in New York, but he was beaten in straight sets by Jannik Sinner to the 2024 title, before Shelton's latest attempt on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Zverev, meanwhile, joins Elena Rybakina as a first-time US Open winner in this year's iteration.

Rybakina beat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka over three sets on Saturday, like Zverev, taking her second major title of the season after she won the Australian Open in January.

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