Okay, so Alexander Zverev just snagged his first US Open title, holding off Ben Shelton in a huge final. But get this: he didn’t even realize he’d won at first! Shelton’s return went long on championship point, and Zverev? He barely reacted, already hitting balls to the other end of the court, thinking there was another game to play. Seriously, what a wild way to win your second Grand Slam title of the year.
The Most Bizarre Championship Point Ever?
It’s truly one of the strangest Grand Slam title victories you’ll ever see. Zverev must have totally lost track of the score because when the final point hit, he was already prepping for the next game. You’d think after facing the home crowd favorite, Ben Shelton, and gutting out a win, the reaction would be huge. But no, Zverev only caught on when he glanced up at the scoreboard and scanned the upper deck of Arthur Ashe Stadium. No dramatic fall to his back, no immediate celebration, just a belated burst into a wide smile as the realization finally hit him. He won the US Open, and the dude was clueless for a good few seconds!
Exorcising Demons & A Monster Season
This win is massive for Zverev, especially considering his history at the US Open. Six years ago, back in 2020, he served for the championship against Dominic Thiem and blew a two-sets-to-love lead in a brutal collapse. Maybe not realizing the score this time actually helped him keep cool under pressure. He came out swinging after Shelton, who overcame a nervy start to finally break him late in the third set, forced a fourth. But Zverev immediately pounced, grabbed the opening break, and served it out for a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 victory. That’s his sixth consecutive win against Shelton, by the way. This season has been absolutely unreal for Zverev. He won his first Grand Slam at the French Open in June, then reached the Wimbledon final in July. Now with the US Open, he’s just the fourth man in the Open era to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same year. World No. 1 is absolutely a realistic target now after this masterclass season. He’s definitely taken advantage of some injury spells from guys like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, not having to beat them this year, but you can’t deny what he’s accomplished.
What a season for Alexander Zverev. He’s making history and showing up big in the biggest moments. With that world No. 1 ranking now firmly in his sights, you just know he’s going to be gunning for more. What a ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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