The 2026 U.S. Open men's final promises to be a captivating clash as Alexander Zverev of Germany faces off against American Ben Shelton on Sunday. Zverev, the top seed, aims for his second grand slam victory of the year after his triumph at the French Open. Meanwhile, Shelton seeks to become the first American male to win a grand slam since Andy Roddick in 2003.

The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, N.Y. Zverev enters as the favorite at -152, while Shelton holds odds of +126. The over/under for total games is set at 42.5.

Expert Insights

Before placing bets, sports betting enthusiasts should consider the insights of tennis expert Jose Onorato, who has a proven track record with a 168-106-8 record on his best bets since 2022. Onorato has successfully predicted several major outcomes, including:

• Jannik Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open (+160)
• Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 French Open (+130)
• Coco Gauff at the 2025 French Open (+700)

Key Predictions

Onorato has thoroughly analyzed the matchup and suggests targeting Zverev -1.5 games at -115. He acknowledges that while Shelton has the crowd's support, Zverev's experience at this level gives him a distinct advantage. Onorato highlights:

• In their last meeting at the 2025 ATP Finals, Shelton won only 10 of 54 return points against Zverev.
• Zverev dominated with 16 of 21 points won off Shelton's second serve.
• Zverev’s backhand is well-suited to counter Shelton’s forehand, and his return game significantly outmatches what Shelton has faced recently.

This final marks their first encounter at a major tournament, and the experience gap in best-of-five finals could play a crucial role. For detailed analysis and additional bets, fans can check Onorato's full picks at SportsLine.