Alexander Zverev Wins U.S. Open

What happened

The facts the coverage agrees on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum. Where the sides dispute something, it's attributed.

Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the U.S. Open men's final Sunday. The victory gave top seed Zverev his first U.S. Open title and second career Grand Slam championship, after his French Open title this year. No. 8 seed Shelton was in his first major final after beating Frances Tiafoe. He sought to become the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003. The match lasted about three and a half hours; Zverev received the trophy from Jimmy Connors and $5.5 million.

Both sides

How left-leaning and right-leaning outlets told this story, in their own coverage. Outlet names link to the article we drew from.

From the left

Coverage emphasized Zverev’s place in tennis history and what Shelton’s loss meant for American hopes. CNN and Al Jazeera noted the win gave Zverev his second major and extended the drought for American men. The Guardian framed it as a rare modern-era feat: winning his first two majors in the same season. TIME said Shelton’s run sparked unusual optimism about American men’s tennis.

From the right

Coverage focused on a missed American breakthrough, while still casting Shelton as a rising star. Fox News said Shelton had a chance to end a 23-year drought, but Zverev beat him in four sets. It also said Shelton looked nervous early and made quick errors. The Daily Wire focused on media framing, arguing ESPN turned the Shelton-Tiafoe semifinal into an identity-driven story when it should have been treated as tennis.

Coverage•12 articles — 7 left, 3 center, 2 right