Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton find themselves in the spotlight as they prepare for the 2026 US Open men's final, each reflecting on their journey with a sense of accomplishment.

Zverev, the German top seed, has stepped out from the shadows of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, capturing the Grand Slam title many believed would elude him. Shelton, the American eighth seed, has proven his capability to compete at the highest level, defeating top players to reach this pivotal final.

Shelton expressed his excitement, stating, "For me, this whole tournament has been uncharted territory. I've beaten guys I've never beaten before." However, he faces the challenge of overcoming Zverev, having lost all five previous encounters. To become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title in 23 years, Shelton must conquer Zverev.

At the season's start, Zverev's chances of winning two Grand Slam titles seemed slim, but he has emerged as the slight favorite to double his major wins. After three previous final defeats, doubts lingered about his ability to claim a major title, especially with Sinner and Alcaraz dominating the scene.

Injuries to both Sinner and Alcaraz have opened the door for Zverev. He remarked, "I believed in it. I believed that it's possible. I think not many of you guys did." Zverev aims to capitalize on this opportunity, having reached his second US Open final, where he previously lost to Dominic Thiem in 2020.

As Zverev builds momentum through the tournament, the challenge posed by Shelton will test his resolve. With both players eager to seize this moment, the final promises to be a thrilling showdown.