For a long time, the tall, 29-year old German seemed a promise who tended to fall a step short when it mattered most. Through end-2025, he reached three grand slam finals through 2025 without winning any of them. Early in his early career, Zverev played in the shadow of the Dai-Yokozuna Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He also missed an opening at the 2020 US Open, when he lost a narrow final to career-high Ozeki Dominic Thiem after being two sets up. Later, Zverev seemed to be overtaken by the new superstars, Yokozuna Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
This season, Sinner and Alacaraz missed slams due to injury or they struggled physically. Zverev did not miss this opportunity and stepped into the void. In the US Open final, he was in control throughout and outplayed the muscular Ben Shelton in four sets - a masterful, Yokozuna-worthy performance.
In the ladies' game, Linda Noskova followed on her victory at the 2026 Wimbledon tournament with a quarterfinal participation at the US Open, where she lost a tight match against Yokozuna Aryna Sabalenka. As a result, Noskova gets promoted to the 50st female Ozeki (=Champion) of the open era. Tournament winner Elena Rybaknia earned a re-promotion to the second highest rank.
Full updates and pictures to follow.
