US Open Tennis 2026 Updated Men's Bracket and Final Predictions

The last time an American man captured a Grand Slam title was in 2003, when Andy Roddick triumphed at the US Open.

This Sunday, 23-year-old Ben Shelton will attempt to end that two-decade drought as he takes on top seed Alexander Zverev in the US Open final.

Will Shelton become the first American man in over 20 years to win a Grand Slam, or will Zverev continue his impressive year?

Preview and Prediction

Ben Shelton is just one win away from ending a two-decade wait for an American men's Grand Slam champion.

To lift the trophy, he'll have to overcome Alexander Zverev—a player who has gotten the best of him in every previous meeting.

But this time, Shelton arrives as a different competitor. The 23-year-old has developed a more well-rounded game, combining his explosive serve and athleticism with newfound patience and tactical awareness.

On the other side, Zverev comes into the final in top form, dominating his service games and rarely giving opponents a chance to break.

Shelton will need to adapt quickly to Zverev's first serve, searching for any patterns or weaknesses. If Zverev's forehand wavers early on, Shelton could look to exploit that side and seize momentum.

With his confidence and all-around improvement, Shelton looks ready to challenge for the title and potentially bring a Grand Slam back to American men's tennis.

Prediction: No. 8 Ben Shelton def. No. 1 Alexander Zverev in 5 sets