US Open Men’s Final 2026: Zverev vs Shelton Preview & Time

The US Open men’s final 2026 is set: top seed Alexander Zverev meets No. 8 seed Ben Shelton on Sunday, September 13, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Zverev is chasing his first US Open trophy, while 23-year-old Shelton is playing his first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd. Below you’ll find the start time in your country, how both players got here, their head-to-head record and the matchups that will decide the title.

US Open Men’s Final 2026 Start Time and How to Watch

The US Open men’s final 2026 begins at 2 p.m. local time in New York on Sunday, September 13, according to the ATP Tour. For fans in South Asia, that means a late-night start. Use the table below to find the time where you live.

If you plan to stay up late, remember that the US Open men’s final 2026 is best-of-five sets. A long final could run past 3 a.m. in Dhaka. You can also follow scores and schedules on our live sports page, and find more match-day guides on the Velki Pro Agent sports blog.

How Alexander Zverev Reached the Final

Zverev reached the US Open men’s final 2026 as the tournament’s top seed, beating unseeded Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6) in the semifinals. The score looks tidy, but the two tiebreaks show how tight the match was. On the key points, Zverev’s serve and backhand held up.

This has been Zverev’s best year at the majors. He won the French Open in June, then lost the Wimbledon final to Jannik Sinner, as reported by ESPN. New York is his third major final of the season and the sixth of his career.

Zverev also has unfinished business in New York. He reached the 2020 US Open final and lost it from two sets up. Six years later, he’s back with another chance.

“I feel like I’ve had a lot of struggles at the major level, I was so close so many times, and maybe this year God has said that this is going to be your year.”

Alexander Zverev, after his semifinal win (via ESPN)

Ben Shelton’s Road to His First Grand Slam Final

Shelton earned his place in the US Open men’s final 2026 by beating two of the biggest names in the draw. In the quarterfinals, he beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets. That match finished at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in US Open history.

In the semifinals, he beat fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in a match packed with home fans. After losing the first set, he took control with his serve and his energy.

Before this year, Shelton’s best major results were semifinals at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. Sunday is the first time he’ll play for a Grand Slam trophy.

Zverev vs Shelton Head-to-Head: Can the Streak Break?

Zverev leads the head-to-head 5-0, and four of those wins came in 2025, according to Al Jazeera. Those wins include the Munich ATP 500 final, which Zverev won in straight sets, and their most recent meeting came at the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals, according to the ATP Tour’s final preview.

A 5-0 record matters, but it doesn’t guarantee the result of the US Open men’s final 2026. Shelton has never faced Zverev in a best-of-five major final, and the Ashe crowd will be loudly behind him.

5 Key Battles That Will Decide the US Open Men’s Final 2026

1. Shelton’s Serve vs Zverev’s Return

Shelton’s left-handed serve is one of the biggest weapons on tour. If he wins plenty of free points and holds serve comfortably, he can take the pressure into tiebreaks. Zverev’s long reach on the return is the best way to neutralise it.

2. Zverev’s Backhand in Long Rallies

Zverev’s two-handed backhand is among the most reliable shots in men’s tennis. The longer the rallies go, the more the match should favour him. Shelton needs to keep points short.

3. Physical Recovery

Shelton has had two very demanding matches in a row: a five-set quarterfinal that ended at 3:33 a.m. and a four-set semifinal. If his legs are tired, Zverev will extend the rallies to test him.

4. The Arthur Ashe Crowd

New York crowds love a home player. Zverev even joked about spoiling the “American dream” after his semifinal. If Shelton gets an early break, the noise could swing momentum his way.

5. Big-Match Experience

The US Open men’s final 2026 is Zverev’s sixth major final and Shelton’s first. First-time finalists often start nervously. Zverev, meanwhile, has lost several big finals, so the pressure is real on his side of the net too.

What Is at Stake on Sunday?

Whoever wins the US Open men’s final 2026, the men’s event will have a first-time US Open champion. Alcaraz’s late-night quarterfinal exit made sure of that, as reported on the official US Open website.

• For Zverev: a second major title of 2026 and his first on hard courts.
• For Shelton: a first Grand Slam title and the first by an American man since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
• Prize money: $5.5 million for the champion and $2.8 million for the runner-up.

Rybakina Wins the Women’s Title

On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina beat defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday to win her first US Open title. Rybakina, who represents Kazakhstan, now has a US Open title to go with her 2022 Wimbledon crown.

Our Prediction for the US Open Men’s Final 2026

On form and head-to-head, Zverev starts the US Open men’s final 2026 as the favourite. His 5-0 record, his experience in big finals and his steadiness from the baseline all give him the edge.

Still, Shelton has momentum. Anyone who can beat Alcaraz at 3 a.m. and then handle a semifinal against Tiafoe can win a Grand Slam. Our call: Zverev in four sets, with at least one tiebreak along the way. If Shelton takes the first set, though, expect a long night.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time is the US Open men’s final 2026 in Bangladesh?

The final starts at 12:00 a.m. Bangladesh time on Monday, September 14, which is 2 p.m. Sunday in New York.

2. Who has the better head-to-head, Zverev or Shelton?

Zverev leads 5-0, including a straight-sets win over Shelton in the Munich ATP 500 final.

3. How much prize money does the US Open champion get?

The 2026 US Open singles champion earns $5.5 million, and the runner-up earns $2.8 million.

4. Who won the 2026 US Open women’s title?

Elena Rybakina won, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final.

Final Word

The US Open men’s final 2026 pits a proven contender against a rising star. Zverev has the record and the experience; Shelton has the serve, the crowd and the momentum. Either way, a new name goes on the US Open trophy tonight.

We’ll update this article with the result as soon as the match ends. If football is your other weekend passion, catch up on the Premier League 2026-27 opening weekend, or head back to the Velki Pro Agent homepage.