US Open Men's Final Tips - A New Champion at Arthur Ashe
The US Open 2026 Men's Singles Final is scheduled for Arthur Ashe Stadium at 20:00 SAST on Sunday 13 September. Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Ben Shelton. A first-time US Open champion is certain. Alexander Zverev to Win the Title at @2.30 with Betway is the priced play.
- Carlos Alcaraz lost in the quarter-finals to Ben Shelton, so a first-time US Open champion is on the way.
- Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament.
- Alexander Zverev is the top seed and has ended his six-year losing streak in Grand Slam finals.
- Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe reached the semi-finals from the bottom half of the draw.
- Kick-off 20:00 SAST at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The absence of the Big Two - Sinner withdrew, Alcaraz beaten in the QF - has thrown the draw wide open. Alexander Zverev is the top seed and enters as the most experienced Slam finalist in the field. He has recently ended a six-year losing streak in Grand Slam finals, which loosens the mental grip that has held him back at the biggest matches.
Ben Shelton is the story of the tournament. His five-set QF win over Alcaraz was the biggest scalp of his career and he is now two matches away from a maiden Grand Slam title. Playing in front of a New York crowd, on his best surface, with the confidence of taking out the defending champion - he is the sentimental favourite.
Frances Tiafoe also reached the semi-finals from the bottom half, coming through a five-set thriller against Alex Michelsen. An all-American final is a real possibility for the first time since Sampras vs Agassi. The other side of the draw brings Zverev alongside players who have not previously won a Slam. Whichever way the semis go, the final will feature at least one first-time US Open finalist.
Our Picks
| Selection | Market | Odds | Bookmaker | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zverev to Win the Title | Outright Winner | @2.30 | Betway | 1.5 Units |
| Ben Shelton to Win the Title | Outright Winner | @3.40 | 10bet | 1 Unit |
| Total Sets Over 3.5 | Match Total Sets | @1.85 | Betway | 1 Unit |
Bet on the US Open Men's Final at Betway →
Zverev is the experience play
Alexander Zverev has been in the top three in the world for most of the last four years. He has ended his six-year losing streak in Grand Slam finals and enters as the most experienced player in the semi-finals. In a wide-open draw, the player with the biggest match record on the biggest court is the price anchor.
Shelton is the punt with upside
Ben Shelton beat Alcaraz in five sets in the QF and has been the story of the tournament. Home crowd, hard court, big serve - the conditions are as good as they get for him. At @3.40 he is a fair-value speculative play.
Verdict
Zverev to Win at @2.30 is the anchor. Shelton at @3.40 is the correlated value add. Total Sets Over 3.5 at @1.85 is the third leg - a wide-open men's Slam final without the top two is likely to be a war of attrition. Expect a five-setter.
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