US Open: The Final Tennis Results You Need To Know

Final results of US Open 2026 confirmed Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina as the men's and women's singles champions after two very different finals at Flushing Meadows. Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in four sets on Sunday, September 13, while Rybakina beat defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in three sets the previous day.

The two victories also reshaped the tennis landscape. Zverev claimed his second Grand Slam title of 2026 after Roland Garros, while Rybakina completed a breakthrough run in New York that also confirmed her rise to world No. 1.

US Open: Key Info

For you as a bettor, the finished tournament offers more than a results recap. It shows how quickly an outright market can change after major upsets, deep runs and improving form. You can apply those lessons to the next tournament through the latest tennis betting markets on Sportsbet.io.

Alexander Zverev wins his first US Open title

Zverev entered the final as the No. 1 seed and produced a controlled performance against eighth seed Shelton, winning 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.

The German took command early and handled the pressure of the second set, winning the tiebreak convincingly. Shelton responded by taking the third set 7-5, but Zverev quickly regained control and closed out the fourth.

The victory is particularly significant because Zverev had previously lost three Grand Slam finals, including the 2020 US Open final after holding a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem. This time, he completed the job and added another major trophy to his 2026 season.

His victory also ended a long wait for a men's American Grand Slam champion. Shelton's runner-up finish was nevertheless a landmark moment, as he became the first Black American man to reach the US Open men's final since Arthur Ashe in 1970.

Ben Shelton's breakthrough run

Shelton entered New York as a talented contender, but reaching his first Grand Slam final represented a major step forward.

His run included a memorable quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz and a semi-final win over fellow American Frances Tiafoe. He then pushed Zverev for more than three hours in the final and showed enough resilience to take a third set after losing the first two.

For future outright betting, Shelton's performance is significant. A player making a first major final can often attract plenty of attention in the next tournament, but you should be careful about assuming another deep run is guaranteed. The price will matter.

A strong tournament can improve a player's true prospects while simultaneously causing the market to shorten his odds too aggressively.

Elena Rybakina dethrones defending champion Sabalenka

Rybakina produced the women's headline result by defeating two-time defending champion Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

The Kazakh controlled the first set before Sabalenka responded in the second. Rybakina then produced her strongest tennis when it mattered most, breaking away in the decider to secure her first US Open crown.

The victory was her third Grand Slam title and her second major of 2026 after winning the Australian Open earlier in the year. It also completed her climb to the top of the WTA rankings.

Rybakina's road to the title was particularly impressive because she had been dealing with an ankle injury shortly before the tournament. She had withdrawn from Cincinnati and arrived in New York with questions over her fitness, but those concerns gradually disappeared as she defeated major opposition.

Sabalenka's title defence ends

Sabalenka was attempting to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three consecutive US Open titles, but Rybakina stopped that run in the final.

Despite the loss, Sabalenka reached another Grand Slam final and demonstrated the consistency that has made her one of the dominant players of the current era.

For betting purposes, her result is worth noting because a final defeat should not dramatically alter your long-term assessment. She remains an elite hard-court player, but her future outright price may now be shaped by the fact that the market has seen Rybakina successfully challenge her at the biggest possible stage.

The biggest surprises of the tournament

The men's draw changed considerably after several leading contenders failed to reach the latter stages. Shelton's progress to the final was the standout surprise, while Zverev capitalised on his position at the top of the draw.

The women's tournament produced an equally significant shift. Rybakina arrived with fitness questions and left New York as champion and world No. 1. Her victories over former champions and established contenders made the performance even more convincing.

These developments matter for your betting strategy because the US Open demonstrated that pre-tournament rankings only tell part of the story.

US Open 2026 final results

Take a closer look at the results table below:

What the results mean for tennis betting

Zverev's ceiling is now clearer

Zverev's second Grand Slam of the season changes how you should assess him in future outright markets.

He is no longer simply a player with the talent to win a major. He has now demonstrated twice in 2026 that he can complete the job over two weeks.

That could lead to shorter prices in future tournaments, making it even more important to compare his market odds against the difficulty of his draw.

Rybakina deserves to be among the favourites

Rybakina's US Open title and new No. 1 ranking make her impossible to overlook in future hard-court markets.

She has now shown that her power and serving can translate into a sustained Grand Slam run, even when arriving with fitness concerns.

You can monitor her future price through the wider Sportsbet.io tennis section rather than relying on her pre-US Open reputation.

The market can overreact

One of the biggest lessons from Flushing Meadows is that a major result can create a dramatic market reaction.

You should not automatically back a newly crowned champion because their confidence is high. Equally, you should not write off a player after one disappointing tournament.

Look at recent form, surface record, draw strength, physical condition and the price before deciding whether a selection offers genuine value.

Live betting lessons from New York

The tournament also highlighted why live tennis markets can be useful. A player may appear dominant on the scoreboard while struggling to hold serve, or an underdog can remain dangerous despite losing the opening set. That is why match statistics can sometimes tell you more than the scoreline alone.

For eligible matches, you can explore live tennis betting on Sportsbet.io and reassess a position using momentum, serve performance and physical movement. The same principle applies to outright markets. A player who survives a difficult match but spends several hours on court may enter the next round with a different physical profile.

Responsible gambling

Tennis betting should remain entertainment rather than a way to make money or recover losses.

Set a budget before betting, only use money you can afford to lose and avoid increasing your stake after an unsuccessful wager. You do not need to bet every tournament or every match.

If betting becomes difficult to control, take a break and seek independent support. Resources include GamCare, Gambling Therapy and, for South African readers, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.

US Open Tennis FAQs

Who won the 2026 US Open men's singles title?

Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open men's singles title.

Who won the 2026 US Open women's singles title?

Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win her first US Open title.

Who was the men's runner-up?

Ben Shelton finished runner-up after reaching the first Grand Slam final of his career.

Who was the women's runner-up?

Aryna Sabalenka finished runner-up after winning the US Open in 2024 and 2025.

What did Rybakina achieve beyond winning the title?

Rybakina also became the new world No. 1 and claimed her third Grand Slam title.

What can you learn from the US Open for future betting?

Use the final results as a starting point, then reassess form, draw difficulty, fitness, surface performance and current odds. The most likely winner is not automatically the best-value bet.

Our Last Say

Be sure to check the latest tennis betting markets on Sportsbet.io and prepare for the next major tournament. Follow future tournaments through live tennis betting and monitor how player performance changes the market.