Celebrations can sometimes arrive too early in sport, but Alexander Zverev experienced the opposite on Sunday.

The German finished off a four-set victory over Ben Shelton to claim his first US Open title, yet for a brief moment in Arthur Ashe Stadium he appeared unaware that the match, and the tournament, was already his. Zverev turned away and seemed to be preparing for the next point before the announcement of the score and the reaction of the crowd finally made the outcome clear.

It was an unusual finish to a major final, and one that caught the attention of Andy Roddick. At first, the American wondered whether Zverev had simply been borrowing from Elena Rybakina’s understated style of celebration. Roddick then made clear that the German had not been acting at all, but had genuinely not realised he had won.

On the latest episode of Served, Roddick said, “He did something that I am pretty sure no one has ever done. Won a Slam without knowing he won a Slam.

“Is he going full Rybakina? He comes on the [ESPN] desk and says, ‘I thought it was 5-1’. He goes, ‘My team yelled at me, I looked up’. Are you the first person who just looked up and realised you won a Slam? That was insane.”

Roddick compared the moment to Roger Federer’s similar mix-up against Kei Nishikori in 2014. In that case, Federer had completed a two-set win in the semi-finals of a German event, but briefly failed to recognise that the match was over. After Nishikori missed a backhand, Federer celebrated, returned to the baseline, then realised his error, laughed, and embraced his opponent at the net.

Federer’s career haul of 20 majors remains far above Zverev’s two, but on this particular measure, the German has the edge.

Ben Shelton has written his name into the US Open record book, becoming the first black American man since Arthur Ashe to reach the final. The 23-year-old followed his five-set victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz with another important win, defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach his first Grand Slam final. Alexander Zverev will be his opponent on Sunday.

After sealing the result on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Shelton turned to the crowd and made his intentions clear. “I am going to need you guys on Sunday,” Shelton told the spectators on Arthur Ashe Stadium after his win. “I’m going for it here. I’m going to leave it all on the court. I hope you guys come back me. Let’s do this for the USA.”

The world No 9 is now only the second American man to reach the US Open final since 2010, joining Taylor Fritz, who lost the 2024 title match against Sinner. Shelton has the chance to go one better and, if he beats Zverev, he would become the first American man since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open to win a Grand Slam. He would also be the first black American man since Ashe in 1972 to win the US Open.

Shelton was equally focused when speaking about the people behind his rise. His father and coach Bryan Shelton played on the ATP Tour and won two singles titles, while his mother Lisa Witsken Shelton was a top junior player. He also paid tribute to his paternal grandmother, saying: “It’s a lot of emotion. My mom and dad sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position today,” he said. “My dad lost his mom earlier this year. She’s the reason he was able to play tennis. Without her there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her.”

He ended by acknowledging New Yorkers on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, saying: “One more thing, it’s a difficult day to be out here playing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all families who are impacted by 9/11.

“This is one of the greatest cities in the world and one of the biggest tragedies. Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved and affected.”

Shelton’s progress also guarantees a career-high No 4 in the ATP Rankings.

As the US Open moves into its closing rounds, the contrast between the men’s and women’s events is striking.

On the women’s side, seven of the top eight seeds remain in the field, underlining the depth of the draw. The men’s competition tells a very different story, with only three members of the ATP Tour top 10 still alive. Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton are the only leading names left, after early exits for Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime changed the shape of the tournament.

Alcaraz’s surge to the quarter-finals, coming in his first event for four and a half months, has prompted criticism from Grand Slam champion Pat Cash. Speaking on BBC 5 Live, the Australian said: “The two-horse race between Sinner and Alcaraz is not healthy for the tour. With every win, Alcaraz is becoming more of a favourite. Four months off, no matches and he could win the US Open.”

Cash also praised the women’s event for its openness. “It is great for the women’s tour to have so many people who could possibly win,” said Cash. “Anyone can win at any time – doesn’t that make it exciting?”

There is, however, some balance to the men’s picture. All three men’s Grand Slam champions in 2026 have been different. Alcaraz won the Australian Open, Zverev took Roland Garros after Alcaraz withdrew and Sinner exited early, and Sinner then defended Wimbledon for a second straight year.

The women’s season has followed a similar pattern, with three different major winners. Elena Rybakina captured the Australian Open, Mirra Andreeva won Roland Garros, and Linda Noskova took Wimbledon.

Those three champions are all still in contention at the US Open, where they are joined by Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula. Another different winner would not be a surprise, with Gauff and Sabalenka currently looking the most likely in Flushing Meadows.

The WTA world No 1 ranking is also on the line. Gauff, Pegula, Sabalenka, and Rybakina are all capable of reaching the summit, while Sabalenka, the current world No 1, must win the title to keep her place at the top.