Ben Shelton vs. Alexander Zverev: Paths to U.S. Open final, head-to-head records

Ben Shelton is one win away from ending the 23-year streak of American men without a Grand Slam title. 

Shelton plays top seed Alexander Zverev in the U.S. Open title match on Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT. Shelton beat Francis Tiafoe in four sets in the semifinals on Friday. Zverev beat Karen Khachanov in three sets in his Friday semifinal.

Shelton won five out of his six 2026 U.S. Open matches in four sets. The only Shelton match in the event that did not go four sets was a three-set win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round. Shelton has spent 18 hours and 58 minutes on court in the 2026 U.S. Open.

Shelton is playing in his first Grand Slam Final on Sunday. After losses in the 2023 U.S. Open and 2025 Australian Open semifinals, Shelton broke through with his first Grand Slam semifinal victory on Friday. Shelton has 15 wins and four losses in his U.S. Open career, including 2026. 

After needing five-set wins to advance in the first two rounds of the 2026 U.S. Open, Zverev has won in straight sets in the last four rounds. Zverev has spent 19 hours and 38 minutes on court in the event; his last two matches lasted five hours and 15 minutes combined.