Which player became the 2026 US Open men's singles champion after being the No. 1 seed?

Alexander Zverev became the 2026 US Open men's singles champion after entering as the No. 1 seed.

Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in the final, winning 6–3, 7–6 (7–2), 5–7, 6–2. The victory made him the tournament's top seed and eventual champion in the same edition.

Shelton was seeded No. 8 and became the runner-up. Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, reached the quarterfinals, while Frances Tiafoe reached the semifinals.

A top seed winning a Grand Slam is notable because the draw places that player at the head of the field, but the title still requires seven match victories in a 128-player singles draw. Zverev completed that path in New York.