He is the only man who won his first US Open title at an older age than Alexander Zverev during the Open Era
Alexander Zverev is the US Open champion.
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Executive DigestOriginal Reporting by Yahoo Sports
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Read Full Story on Yahoo Sports →Alexander Zverev is the US Open champion.
The German superstar proved too strong for Ben Shelton on Sunday evening, triumphing 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 in Flushing Meadows.
Zverev has now added to the Roland Garros title he won in June.
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He has also become the second-oldest man to win his first US Open singles title.
Who was the oldest to accomplish the feat?
Stan Wawrinka is the oldest first-time US Open Men's Singles champion in the Open Era
Stan Wawrinka secured his third and final Grand Slam title at the 2016 US Open.
Wawrinka, who was 31 years and 154 days old heading into the event, defeated Novak Djokovic in the final.
"This is amazing," Wawrinka said after triumphing inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I came here without the goal of winning it but stepped on the court trying to win the match.
Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
"I played a lot of tennis, I am completely empty. There was so much emotion with the crowd, the atmosphere, the stadium, it's been an amazing night."
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According to OptaAce, Zverev was aged 29 years and 132 days at the start of the 2026 US Open.
Tournament | Opponent in final | Score |
2014 Australian Open | Rafael Nadal | 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 |
2015 Roland Garros | Novak Djokovic | 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 |
2016 US Open | Novak Djokovic | 6–7, 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 |
Stan Wawrinka's Grand Slam titles
Wawrinka brought his Grand Slam career to an end at this year's US Open.
The Swiss maestro, 41, was defeated in the first round by Italian player Matteo Berrettini.
Wawrinka is set to retire from his playing career at the end of this year.
Photo by Dustin Satloff/USTA via Getty Images
Alexander Zverev's US Open debut
Zverev made his first-ever appearance at the US Open in 2014.
The German star triumphed in his maiden contest, defeating Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of qualifying.
He then lost in the second round to Marsel İlhan.
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Zverev successfully qualified for the main draw a year later, before being defeated in the first round by 29th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Zverev secured his first main-draw victory in 2016, defeating Daniel Brands 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Four years later, Zverev made his first major final appearance in New York.
The German squandered a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem, eventually losing 2–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6.
Zverev has now buried those demons with his victory on Sunday.
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