US Open 2026 Winners: Zverev and Rybakina Take the Titles

Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton in four sets and Elena Rybakina denied Aryna Sabalenka a three-peat to become world No.1. Both finals, the Australian results and every doubles title.

Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina are the 2026 US Open champions. Zverev beat Ben Shelton in four sets to take his second major of the year, and Rybakina denied Aryna Sabalenka a three-peat and took the world No.1 ranking with her. Below: both finals, the semi-finals, the Australian results, the doubles titles and what the fortnight changed at the top of both rankings.

Men’s final: Zverev beats Shelton

Zverev took the first two sets, lost the third 7-5 as Shelton chased the biggest win in American tennis for a generation, and closed it out 6-2 in the fourth. It is his second major of 2026 after Roland Garros, and it makes him only the fourth man in the Open era to win his first two major titles in the same calendar year, after Jimmy Connors in 1974, Guillermo Vilas in 1977 and Jannik Sinner in 2024.

For Shelton the defeat carries a longer weight. No American man has won a major since Andy Roddick won this tournament in 2003, and that drought now runs to 23 years. He would also have been the first Black American man to win a major since Arthur Ashe.

Shelton’s run was the story of the men’s draw regardless. He knocked out defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(7), in a match that finished at 3.33am local time, the latest finish in the tournament’s history.

Men’s semi-finals	Score
Ben Shelton d Frances Tiafoe	4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5
Alexander Zverev d Karen Khachanov	6-3 7-6(7) 7-6(6)

 

Women’s final: Rybakina denies the three-peat

Sabalenka arrived on a 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows chasing a third consecutive title. Rybakina took the first set, lost the second, and won the decider 6-2 for her third major championship.

The ranking consequence is the bigger story. Rybakina becomes world No.1 for the first time in her career, ending Sabalenka’s run of 99 consecutive weeks at the top and becoming the 30th woman to hold the position.

Women’s semi-finals	Score
Aryna Sabalenka d Jessica Pegula	7-5 6-2
Elena Rybakina d Coco Gauff	3-6 6-4 6-4

 

What it did to the rankings

On the men’s side Jannik Sinner stays world No.1. Zverev’s title moves him to No.2 and closes the gap without overtaking. On the women’s side the top of the ranking changed hands for the first time in nearly two years.

The Australians

Alex de Minaur went out in the second round, beaten in straight sets by Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4 7-5 6-2. It was the Dutchman’s first win over him in five meetings and de Minaur’s earliest US Open exit in five years.

Dane Sweeny produced the Australian performance of the fortnight. The Queensland wildcard beat Lorenzo Musetti 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 to reach a first major third round, then lost to Luciano Darderi 6-4 6-3 6-3 while troubled by a hip complaint. It was the first time in five years Australia had no singles player in the second week.

Australia did win a title. Seventeen-year-old Jin Woodman partnered Sam Schroder to the quad wheelchair doubles, beating top seeds Guy Sasson and Niels Vink 6-3 2-6 [10-7]. It is Woodman’s first Grand Slam title and the first Australian wheelchair Grand Slam doubles title since 2021, at the third attempt this year after runner-up finishes to the same pair at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

No Australian reached a men’s, women’s or mixed doubles final. Full detail on our Aussies at the US Open page.

Doubles champions

Event	Champions	Score
Men’s doubles	Christian Harrison / Neal Skupski	6-4 7-6(6)
Women’s doubles	Katerina Siniakova / Taylor Townsend	5-7 6-0 6-2
Mixed doubles	Karolina Muchova / Jakub Mensik	6-3 1-6 [10-6]
Quad wheelchair doubles	Jin Woodman (AUS) / Sam Schroder	6-3 2-6 [10-7]

 

Prize money

The 2026 US Open paid a total purse of 108 million US dollars, a 20 per cent rise on 2025 and the first time any tennis event has passed 100 million dollars in player compensation. Each singles champion received 5.5 million US dollars, the largest single-event winner’s cheque in Grand Slam history. Full breakdown on our US Open prize money page.

Where to bet on tennis

Compare outright and match markets for the rest of the season at our top-rated Australian bookmakers. See our best betting sites in Australia guide for full reviews.

US Open 2026 FAQs

Who won the 2026 US Open?

Alexander Zverev won the men’s singles, beating Ben Shelton 6-3 7-6(7-2) 5-7 6-2. Elena Rybakina won the women’s singles, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2.

Did Aryna Sabalenka win three in a row?

No. She was beaten in the final by Rybakina, which ended a 20-match winning run at Flushing Meadows and cost her the world No.1 ranking after 99 consecutive weeks.

Has an American man won a major recently?

No. Shelton’s defeat extended the drought to 23 years. The last American man to win a major was Andy Roddick, at the US Open in 2003.

How did the Australians go?

Alex de Minaur lost in the second round and Dane Sweeny reached the third after beating Lorenzo Musetti. Jin Woodman won the quad wheelchair doubles with Sam Schroder for Australia’s only title of the tournament.

How much did the 2026 US Open champions win?

5.5 million US dollars each, from a total purse of 108 million dollars.

More tennis content

• US Open betting guide
• US Open winners: every champion and honour roll
• US Open prize money
• Tennis betting hub