- Ben Shelton lost to Alexander Zverev in the US Open final with a score of 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- Shelton will rise to a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings, becoming the highest-ranked former college player since 2006.
- Shelton is the first former NCAA singles champion to reach a Grand Slam final since 1986 and the first African American man since 1996.
Ben Shelton’s best run in professional tennis ended Sunday evening as the former Florida Gator and Buchholz High School alum fell to top-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Despite the loss, Shelton will rise to a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, becoming the highest-ranked former college tennis player on tour since James Blake in 2006.
Shelton’s historic run included becoming the first former NCAA singles champion to reach a Grand Slam final since 1986. He also became the first African American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since MaliVai Washington reached the 1996 Wimbledon final after defeating No. 11 Frances Tiafoe on Friday in the semifinals and upsetting No. 2 Carlo Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Zverev claimed his second major title of the year and improved to 6-0 against Shelton. The German also moved to 25-2 in Grand Slam play and 4-1 in finals this year.
Zverev established an early 2-0 lead in the opening set before Shelton battled back. The top seed regained control and took the set 6-3 after Shelton committed a double fault.
The second set featured extended rallies and traded service games, forcing a tiebreak. Zverev raced to a 5-0 lead and closed out the set 7-6(2).
Through the first two sets, Zverev applied consistent pressure and forced Shelton into long exchanges. Shelton struggled to find his spots on serve and committed 29 unforced errors.
Shelton responded in the third set, breaking Zverev’s serve for the first time in 66 consecutive service games. With the set tied at 5-5, Shelton capitalized on a Zverev shot that sailed wide to win the set 7-5 and extend the championship match.
Entering the third hour of play, Zverev regained momentum in the fourth set, taking an early 2-0 lead. Shelton narrowed the deficit to 3-2, but Zverev continued to control the net and pulled ahead 5-2.
Zverev secured the championship when Shelton’s return sailed long, completing the victory and ending Shelton’s historic run.
Shelton’s rise to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings marks another milestone in a season that has established him among the world’s top players.