How Zverev and Shelton emerged from 'Sincaraz' shadow

For different reasons, Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton will look back on their 2026 Grand Slam performances with a sense of achievement - no matter what happens in Sunday's US Open men's final.

German top seed Zverev has emerged from the shadow of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to win the Grand Slam title many felt he might never land.

American eighth seed Shelton, meanwhile, has demonstrated he does have what it takes to reach a major final - and beat the world's very best players on the way.

"For me, this whole tournament has been uncharted territory," said Shelton, who will be backed by a partisan 24,000-strong crowd in New York.

"I'm in positions I've never been in before. I've beaten guys I've never beaten before."

Shelton must also beat Zverev for the first time, having lost all five of their previous meetings, if he is to become the first American man in 23 years to win a Grand Slam singles title.

At the start of the season, the odds on Zverev winning two Grand Slam titles would have been long. They are considerably shorter now.

The French Open champion is a slight favourite to beat Shelton as he looks to double his tally of major wins - not only for the year, but his career.