This past month, from August 23 to September 13, the world’s best tennis players took the courts in Flushing Meadows, New York, for the 146th U.S. Open.
In Men’s Singles, One-Seed German Alexander Zverev took home the trophy, defeating 8-Seed American Ben Shelton in the finals. Zverev dominated the entirety of the tournament, dropping only one set from the third round to the championship match. With world #1 Jannik Sinner out due to injury, Zverev capitalized on the opportunity, winning his second major this year, along with Roland-Garros in June.
Although Zverev won the tournament, Ben Shelton’s accomplishments in the tournament were nothing short of incredible. He was the first Black American man to reach a grand slam final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Key victories for Shelton included decisvely defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the Semifinals, along with 2-Seed Carlos Alcaraz in the Quarterfinals. Surprises in the tournament included unseeded 22 year-old American Alex Michelsen, who reached the quarterfinals before being defeated by Tiafoe in a grueling five-set match.
Additionally, unseeded Russian player Karen Khachanov reached the Semifinals being defeated in straight sets by eventual winner Alexander Zverev. Additionally, the 2026 U.S. Open was well represented by American men, with five reaching the round of 16, three making the quarterfinals, two making the semifinals, and Shelton ultimately reaching the finals. However, an American man has still yet to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick won on home soil in 2003.
In Women’s Singles, 2-Seed Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina, upset world number one Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the finals, winning her second ever major. Rybakina dominated throughout the tournament, only dropping three sets en route to victory, defeating world number four Coco Gauff, and number thirteen Naomi Osaka along the way. The victory launched Rybakina above Sabalenka, claiming the world number one spot. The women’s draw was not marked by major upsets, as the top four seeds all reached the semifinals. However, notable accomplishments include unseeded Chinese player Qinwen Zheng reaching the quarterfinals.
The U.S. Open was, yet again, remarkable, with the world’s best players showing off their talents across three weeks of extremely entertaining tennis.
