US Open 2026 Updates (Continued 2)

Events that are shaping the tournament in New York.

High-TechSociety.com | By Luiz Cincurá

Introduction and legend: click or tap to open

The 2026 US Open is underway in New York, and throughout the tournament, events both on and off the courts are helping to shape the history of this edition.

This section gathers noteworthy facts from the competition, such as withdrawals. ...and player substitutions, lucky losers, entering the tournament, high-impact results , highly anticipated matches, records and remarkable achievements, as well as curiosities, celebrity appearances, and other events that keep the tournament buzzing.

Information will be added throughout the 2026 US Open as relevant events occur, without the intention of covering every match or providing complete results coverage. For that purpose, Part 3 of the series provides the dashboard.  Follow the 2026 US Open in real time , with access to the match schedule, results, brackets, and other up-to-date tournament information.

Follow the updates below, from newest to oldest. The colors identify the different types of events and make it easier to find the topics of interest as you browse the page: 

🟣 HIGHLIGHT — Big surprises and impactful events.

⚫CHANGE TO THE DRAW — Withdrawals, retirements, replacements, lucky losers and wild cards.

🟡 KEEP AN EYE OUT — Matches and events that deserve attention.

🔵 FEAT AND RECORD — Historic milestones and exceptional performances.

🔴 OFF THE COURT — Personalities and events inside and outside the complex.

🟤 CURIOSITY — Unusual stories and situations from the tournament.

🔵 13 SEP 2026 · FEAT E RECORD

Zverev is the 2026 US Open champion!

Germany’s Alexander Zverev, 29, world No. 2 and the No. 1 seed, claimed his first US Open title on Sunday by defeating American Ben Shelton, 23, world No. 5 and the No. 8 seed, 3 sets to 1, with scores of 6/3, 7/6(2), 5/7 and 6/2, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The match brought together two of the most powerful players on the tour, but Zverev showed greater consistency throughout the four sets. In the very first game, Shelton committed a double fault on break point and dropped his serve. The American tried to vary his game, including with serve-and-volley approaches, but Zverev maintained his advantage and took the first set 6/3.

The second set was more evenly contested and went to a tiebreak. With the Arthur Ashe crowd firmly behind Shelton, Zverev remained focused and raced to a 5/0 lead in the tiebreak. The advantage proved decisive, and the German closed it out 7/2, moving within one set of the title.

Shelton fought back in the third set

Despite trailing by two sets, Shelton did not give up. In the third set, he went through moments of frustration — at one point slipping and falling during a rally — but continued looking for ways to increase the pressure on Zverev. The German managed to fend off a break point in the sixth game, but Shelton increased the pressure late in the set and eventually secured the break that allowed him to take the set 7/5.

The American’s persistence was rewarded. Shelton broke Zverev’s serve and won the third set 7/5, sending the final into a fourth set. His comeback was even more significant because Zverev had reached the final without dropping a set in his previous four matches.

Zverev regained control

The possibility of a stronger Shelton comeback, however, was quickly met by a response from Zverev. In the fourth set, one of the most important points of the final came in a 25-shot rally, won by the German to secure an early break of serve.

From that point on, Zverev regained control of the match with greater consistency, combining the power of his serve, the quality of his returns and his ability to sustain baseline rallies. Shelton continued to look for aggressive shots and tried to shorten the points, but he was unable to maintain in the fourth set the level that had enabled him to fight back in the third. Zverev took the set 6/2 and sealed the title.

The final point also produced a curious scene. After a Shelton return went out, Zverev did not immediately realize that he had won the tournament and walked back toward the baseline, preparing to receive another serve. Only after hearing the umpire’s announcement and noticing the crowd’s reaction did he realize that the match was over, before running to the net to shake Shelton’s hand.

A title that changes the dimension of Zverev’s career

The title represents a particularly important milestone in the German’s career. Before 2026, Zverev had finished runner-up at four Grand Slam tournaments — the 2020 US Open, 2024 Roland Garros, 2025 Australian Open and 2026 Wimbledon — and for years had been regarded as one of the leading players of his generation without a Grand Slam title.

That story began to change at Roland Garros 2026, when he won his first Grand Slam title. Just three months later, in his sixth major final, Zverev won the US Open to claim the second Grand Slam title of his career, both in the same season.

His performance in New York also demonstrated his ability to recover over the course of the tournament. Zverev needed five sets in each of his first two rounds, but then won four consecutive matches without dropping a set to reach the final. Against Shelton, he lost the third set but responded immediately in the fourth and did not allow the American’s comeback to change the course of the final.

For Shelton, the defeat does not diminish the significance of his campaign. In his first Grand Slam final, the American arrived in New York as the No. 8 seed, defeated Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the quarterfinals and overcame Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal. In the final, even after losing the first two sets, he managed to fight back and force Zverev into a fourth set.

Shelton was unable to end the United States’ wait for an American men’s Grand Slam singles champion — the last remains Andy Roddick, at the 2003 US Open — but he leaves the tournament with his best result at a major and having demonstrated that his game can already take him to the biggest finals on the tour.

The title also carries special significance for Zverev because it came at the same tournament where he experienced one of the most difficult defeats of his career. In 2020, the German reached the US Open final and took a two-set lead over Dominic Thiem, but ultimately lost in five sets. Six years later, he returned to the final in New York and this time won the title, adding the US Open trophy to the Roland Garros title he also claimed in 2026.

🟡 SEP 13, 2026 · KEEP AN EYE OUT

Zverev vs. Shelton: serves exceeding 220 km/h and intense rallies promise a great final.

German Alexander Zverev , 29, world No. 2 and No. 1 seed , and American Ben Shelton , 23, world No. 5 and No. 8 seed , will play this Sunday, September 13 , in the men's singles final of the 2026 US Open . The match is scheduled for 2:00 PM New York time , at Arthur Ashe Stadium , at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York.

Zverev arrives at the final with the experience of someone competing in his sixth Grand Slam final (see his journey in the table below) and his third consecutive final this season . Now he seeks his second Grand Slam title.

Grand Slam finals contested by Alexander Zverev:

Year	Grand Slam	Adversary	Result
2020	US Open	Dominic Thiem	Runner-up
2024	Roland Garros	Carlos Alcaraz	Runner-up
2025	Australian Open	Jannik Sinner	Runner-up
2026	Roland Garros	Flavio Cobolli	Champion
2026	Wimbledon	Jannik Sinner	Runner-up
2026	US Open	Ben Shelton	Final to be played

Shelton , for his part, will be playing in his first Grand Slam final . As the table below shows, the American has already won seven titles on the ATP circuit . His 2026 campaign is particularly noteworthy: Shelton won four titles, spread across three surfaces: Dallas and Montreal (hard court), Munich (clay), and Stuttgart (grass). With this, he became the first American since 2010 to win ATP titles on all three surfaces in the same season and reaches the final after a highly publicized campaign in New York.

ATP titles won by Ben Shelton:

Year	Tournament	Category
2023	Tokyo	ATP 500
2024	Houston	ATP 250
2025	Toronto	ATP Masters 1000
2026	Dallas	ATP 500
2026	Munich	ATP 500
2026	Stuttgart	ATP 250
2026	Montreal	ATP Masters 1000

In the quarterfinals, Shelton eliminated the then-champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets , in a match that ended at 3:33 AM , the latest finish in US Open history. In the semifinals , he defeated his compatriot Frances Tiafoe 3 sets to 1 .

A victory would also have historic significance for American tennis: Shelton could become the first American to win a Grand Slam men's singles title since Andy Roddick, who won the US Open in 2003 .

Direct confrontations

History heavily favors Zverev . The two have faced each other before .   They have faced each other five times , and the German has won them all : Cincinnati 2024, Munich 2025, Stuttgart 2025, Cincinnati 2025 and ATP Finals 2025. Sunday's final will therefore be their sixth encounter and their first in a Grand Slam .

What could decide the final?

THE   Shelton's serve will be one of the key elements of the match. Left-handed and with a serve capable of frequently exceeding 220 km/h , the American uses the power of his first serve to quickly take control of points and seeks to complement this characteristic with aggressive baseline shots. Against Tiafoe in the semi-final , he managed 20 aces and landed 75% of his first serves in play .

Zverev also possesses one of the strongest serves on the circuit, greater experience in five-set matches , and   Zverev's ability to sustain long baseline rallies is a key strength . He also excels at the quality of his returns, with the ability to neutralize powerful serves and keep many balls in play , which can hinder Shelton 's attempt to use the power of his first serve to shorten points.

Another aspect will be how Shelton manages his aggression. To overcome Zverev for the first time, Shelton will likely need to maintain his aggressive game and look for decisive strikes , but without taking risks that result in many mistakes . The German, in turn, will likely try to prolong some of the exchanges and force his opponent to repeatedly execute high-difficulty strikes.

There is also an important factor in the current situation of both players. Zverev began the tournament with two consecutive five-set matches and accumulated a record of 16 hours and 40 minutes on the court, in the five matches that led him to the semi-finals . Despite the grueling start, his performance improved throughout the competition: the German did not lose a single set in his last four matches , including his victory over Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals.  

Shelton arrives buoyed by victories over Alcaraz and Tiafoe and should have strong support from the American crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

🔵 SEP 12, 2026 · FEAT AND RECORD

Elena Rybakina is the 2026 US Open champion!

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina , 27, world number 2 and number 2 seed , is the new US Open champion! This Saturday, at Arthur Ashe Stadium , she defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka , 28, world number 1 and number 1 seed, by 2 sets to 1 , with scores of 6/4, 5/7 and 6/2, in a 2h21 match .

In this final marked by the confrontation between two of the most powerful players on the circuit, Rybakina   managed to impose his game on   Sabalenka won the first set 6-4 . Sabalenka rallied in the second and, despite her opponent's resistance, closed it out 7-5 , forcing a third set.

In the decisive set, however, Rybakina took control of the match . The Kazakh player maintained consistency in baseline rallies, pressured Sabalenka's serve, and built a sufficient lead to prevent another comeback from the world number 1.

With a 6-2 score, she closed out the match and won her first title in New York. Throughout the final, Rybakina managed four service breaks and, in addition to constantly pressuring Sabalenka 's serve , showed greater consistency in her own service games during crucial moments. This indicates the pressure she managed to exert even against one of the strongest servers on the circuit.

The result also ended Sabalenka 's impressive run at the tournament. A two-time champion in 2024 and 2025 , the Belarusian reached her fourth consecutive US Open final and was looking to become the first woman since Serena Williams, between 2012 and 2014 , to win three consecutive titles in New York. The defeat interrupted her streak of 19 consecutive victories in the tournament.

For Rybakina, the title represents another milestone in a particularly important season. She had already defeated Sabalenka in the final of the 2026 Australian Open and now she has won both Grand Slams played on hard courts this season . With Wimbledon 2022 , she reaches three Grand Slam titles in her career. In the three major finals she has played against Sabalenka , the Kazakh now leads 2-1 : she lost the 2023 Australian Open , but won the finals of the 2026 Australian Open and the 2026 US Open.

The victory in New York takes on even greater significance because it coincides with a shift at the top of women's tennis. Rybakina had already mathematically secured the top ranking by reaching the semi-finals, regardless of the final result. In the WTA update on Monday, she will appear for the first time as   She will become the world's number one, the 30th woman to hold the top ranking and the first representative from Kazakhstan to achieve this position . Sabalenka will end a streak of 99 consecutive weeks at the top.

The title also confirms an important shift in the rivalry between the two. Sabalenka arrived in New York as a two-time champion with an advantage in the overall head-to-head record, but Rybakina won both Grand Slam finals played between them in 2026. In a rivalry characterized by the powerful serves and groundstrokes of both players , the Kazakh player once again demonstrated her ability to maintain consistency in decisive moments.

In addition to the trophy, Rybakina will receive   US$5.5 million , the largest prize money ever awarded to a singles champion in Grand Slam history.   Sabalenka , as runner-up, will receive US$2.8 million .

Thus, Rybakina concludes her campaign in New York with a rare combination: her first US Open title, her third Grand Slam title, and an unprecedented rise to the number 1 ranking in the world .

🔵 SEP 12, 2026 · FEAT AND RECORD

Latak wins dramatic final against Guto Miguel and conquers the US Open Junior title.

American Marcel Latak , 17 years old, ranked 41st in the world junior rankings and without seeding status , won the US Open 2026 junior men's singles title on Saturday by defeating Brazilian Luis Guto Miguel , 17 years old, ranked 1st in the world junior rankings and seeded 1st , by 2 sets to 1 , with scores of 3/6, 7/5 and 7/6(13) , after a 2h46 final marked by successive twists and turns .

Guto started better and won the first set 6-3 , achieving three service breaks. Latak reacted in the second and, after a balanced set, managed the decisive break to close it out 7-5 and take the match to a third set.

In the decisive set, neither player managed to establish a sufficient advantage, and the match went to a 10-point tiebreak . It was then that the match took on a particularly dramatic turn. Latak opened up a 7-2 lead , but Guto began a great comeback. The Brazilian saved title opportunities from his opponent and turned the situation around until reaching 11-10 , having his own championship point to win the US Open. The battle continued point by point until Latak finally closed out the tiebreak 15-13 .

The title makes the American's campaign even more surprising. Latak entered the main draw as a special exempt (SE).   This condition is granted to players who cannot compete in the qualifying rounds because they are still competing in another qualifying tournament. Before the tournament, he himself acknowledged that he arrived in New York without expecting to advance so far. In the quarterfinals, he defeated his compatriot Keaton Hance and, in the semifinals, eliminated the German Jamie MacKenzie, the number 2 seed, by 2 sets to 0.

For Guto Miguel , the defeat came after a campaign that once again placed him among the top names in world junior tennis. The Brazilian had already experienced another extraordinary match in the quarterfinals, when he saved three match points against American Jordan Lee before winning the match tiebreak 13-11 . In the final, the situation almost repeated itself—this time, however, it was Latak who held on in the decisive points.

Despite finishing as runner-up, Guto concludes the US Open after a standout season in junior Grand Slams: he won the singles title at Roland Garros and the doubles title at Wimbledon , alongside Slovenian Ziga Sesko . In New York, he was seeking his second Grand Slam singles title of the year.

Latak 's journey at the US Open is not yet over. The American also reached the final of the junior men's doubles , alongside compatriot Tanishk Konduri , becoming the first player since the Chinese player to do so.   Wu Yibing, in 2017 , competing in the same US Open in the junior men's singles and doubles finals.

🔵 SEP 12, 2026 · FEAT AND RECORD

Gabet and González-Galino defeat Konduri and Latak to win the junior doubles title.

Frenchman Aaron Gabet and Spaniard Valentín González-Galino , both 17 years old, won the US Open 2026 junior men's doubles title on Saturday. They defeated Americans Tanishk Konduri and Marcel Latak 2 sets to 1 , with scores of 7/6(5), 2/6 and [11/9] , in a 1 hour and 30 minute match .

The decision was only made in the final points of the match tiebreak . After losing the second set 6-2 , Gabet and González-Galino recovered in the decisive set and closed it out 11-9 , winning their first junior Grand Slam title as a doubles team.

For Marcel Latak , the match capped off an unusual day in New York. Hours earlier, the American had defeated Guto Miguel in a long and dramatic final to win the junior singles title . Latak became the first player since China's Wu Yibing in 2017 to compete in the same US Open junior men's singles and doubles finals.

The title also has historical significance for González-Galino : he became the third Spanish champion in the men's junior doubles at the US Open , after Tomás Carbonell and Javier Sánchez Vicario , champions in 1986.

🟡 SEP 12, 2026 · KEEP AN EYE OUT

Sabalenka and Rybakina decide US Open women's title

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka , 28, world number 1 and top seed , and Kazakh Elena Rybakina , 27, world number 2 and second seed , will compete this Saturday, September 12, in the women's singles final of the 2026 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

According to the tournament's official schedule, the match will begin no earlier than 4 PM New York time .

Rybakina , although still officially ranked second in the world, has already secured the number 1 spot in the world according to the WTA world rankings immediately after the tournament, regardless of the outcome of today's final. Her victory over Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals mathematically guaranteed that she will surpass Sabalenka when the new rankings are published.

This will be the first women's US Open final between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds since 2013 , when Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka. The match will also be a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open final , won by Rybakina.

Sabalenka: consistency, power, and experience in New York

Two-time US Open champion, with titles in 2024 and 2025 , Sabalenka reached the final after a very consistent campaign. The Belarusian went through the first four rounds without losing a set and faced her biggest challenge in the quarterfinals.

Facing Czech player Linda Noskova , the 2026 Wimbledon champion, Sabalenka needed three sets and two tie-breaks to advance: she won 2 sets to 1, with scores of 7/6(1), 3/6 and 7/6(7) .

In the semi-final, she delivered a more dominant performance against American Jessica Pegula , ranked No. 4 in the world and seeded No. 3. Sabalenka won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2 , using the power and depth of her shots to pressure Pegula and gradually take control of the match.

Sabalenka reaches the final having won 12 sets and lost only one , with 8 hours and 47 minutes of playing time. Furthermore, she has accumulated 19 consecutive victories at the US Open and will be playing her fourth consecutive final in New York .

Her game is characterized by its power. The serve is an important weapon , but the pressure doesn't end with the first shot: Sabalenka seeks to take the initiative quickly with deep, fast shots from both her forehand and backhand. When she manages to play close to the baseline and control the pace of the rallies, she reduces the time her opponent has to organize the points.

Over the past few years, however, her game has become less reliant solely on power. Sabalenka has improved the consistency of her serve, her movement, her defensive ability, and her timing for attacks. She also arrives at the final demonstrating confidence under pressure, an important aspect against an opponent who usually offers few opportunities in her service games.

The Belarusian is seeking her fifth Grand Slam title and her third consecutive US Open title. If she wins, she will be the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three consecutive titles in New York .

Rybakina: serve, depth, and balance under pressure.

Rybakina arrived in New York with a different background. A Wimbledon champion in 2022 and Australian Open champion in 2026 , she had never progressed beyond the round of 16 at the US Open. In this edition, she not only overcame that barrier but also reached her first final in the tournament.

Like Sabalenka, she went through the first four rounds without losing a set . In the round of 16, she defeated Japan's Naomi Osaka , a two-time US Open champion, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4 .

In the next two matches, however, she needed to demonstrate her ability to react. In the quarterfinals, she lost the first set to China's Qinwen Zheng , but turned the match around and won 2 sets to 1, with scores of 3/6, 6/1 and 6/4 . It was precisely this victory that secured her the future leadership of the world ranking.

In the semifinals, the situation repeated itself against American Coco Gauff , the 2023 US Open champion and fourth seed. After losing the first set, Rybakina maintained her composure, improved her serve, and increased the depth of her shots. She won 2 sets to 1, with scores of 3/6, 6/4, and 6/4 .

Rybakina reaches the final with 12 sets won and two lost , after 9 hours and 43 minutes on the court.

The serve is one of the main foundations of her game and could become even more important against Sabalenka . Rybakina looks to win points directly with her serve or produce a shorter return that allows her to attack immediately afterward. From the baseline, she uses flat, deep, and fast shots, capable of quickly changing a defensive situation to an offensive one.

Another characteristic demonstrated in this campaign was emotional stability in difficult moments . Against Zheng and Gauff , she lost the first set, but did not abandon her playing style or resort to hasty solutions. Against Gauff , even in front of a crowd largely in favor of the American, she maintained her concentration and gradually found the conditions to turn the match around.

Rybakina is seeking her third Grand Slam title and her second in 2026. To date, she has played in two Grand Slam finals and won both: Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026.

What could decide the final?

The match pits two of the most powerful players on the circuit against each other, but it's not just a contest of strength .

Sabalenka will try to take the initiative from the first shots, putting pressure on Rybakina 's second serve and trying to prevent the Kazakh player from having time to organize her attacks. If she can maintain the depth and precision she demonstrated against Pegula , she may force Rybakina to frequently play from defensive positions.

Rybakina , in turn, will need a high first serve percentage and depth in her returns. The more she can neutralize Sabalenka 's initial attack and prolong points in balanced conditions, the greater her chances of preventing the Belarusian from constantly dictating the pace of the match. Rybakina herself acknowledged after the semifinal that she will need to serve better and maintain an aggressive posture in the final.

The historical record shows the balance of the matchup. Sabalenka leads 10 wins to 7 , but considering only matches on hard courts, the score is tied at 7-7 .

In 2026 , they will have already faced each other three times. Sabalenka won in Indian Wells and Miami , while Rybakina won the most important match: the Australian Open final , in three sets.

Who has the advantage?

There is no clear favorite.   Sabalenka seems to arrive at the final with a slight advantage , mainly due to her performance in New York and the experience of playing in her fourth consecutive final in the tournament. Throughout the six matches that led them to the final, Sabalenka also experienced less physical strain: she remained on the court for 8 hours and 47 minutes, compared to Rybakina's 9 hours and 43 minutes, and lost only one set, while the Kazakh player lost two.

Rybakina , however, possesses characteristics that make this advantage quite small. Her serve can limit Sabalenka 's opportunities on returns, she has already demonstrated in this edition the ability to react after losing the first set, and she has a particularly important recent record: she beat Sabalenka in the final of this year's Australian Open .

Thus, the trend points to a match decided by small margins : success rate on the first serve, quality of returns, number of errors when both players increase their power, and, above all, efficiency in high-pressure points.

Sabalenka enters the court looking to confirm her recent dominance in New York with a third consecutive US Open title . Rybakina   He will try to win his first trophy in the tournament and aims to take the world lead along with his second Grand Slam title in the same season .

🔵 SEP 12, 2026 · FEAT AND RECORD 

Marcel Latak will compete in two finals – on the same day – at the US Open Junior Championships.

American Marcel Latak , 17, ranked No. 41 in the world junior rankings and not a seeded player , will have an unusual schedule at the US Open this Saturday, September 12th: he will compete in the men's singles and doubles finals of the junior tournament on the same day .

The first match will be a singles match against Brazilian Guto Miguel , 17 years old, number 1 in the world junior ranking and number 1 seed , scheduled to start at 11 am New York time .

Latak will then have another decision to face. Alongside fellow American Tanishk Konduri , he will face Frenchman Aaron Gabet and Spaniard Valentin Gonzalez-Galino in the doubles final, scheduled to begin no earlier than 12:00 PM .

The indication “not before 12:00” means that this is only the minimum time established for the start of the match. As Latak will be playing the singles final starting at 11:00, the doubles final may start later, depending on the duration of the first match and the necessary interval before his return to the court.

The situation is permitted by the tournament rules and is not unprecedented, but it represents a rare feat in the US Open Junior Championships . According to the US Open itself, the last player to simultaneously reach the men's singles and doubles finals in the same edition was the Chinese player Wu Yibing, in 2017 .

Latak secured both spots on Friday. First, he defeated 18-year-old German Jamie Mackenzie , number 2 in the world junior rankings and number 2 seed , in straight sets, 6/3 and 7/6(2) , in the singles semi-final.

Hours later, he returned to the court alongside Konduri and defeated Safir Azam and Damir Zhalgasbay 2 sets to 1, with scores of 6/3, 6/7(6) and 10/5 in the match tiebreak , also securing a place in the doubles final.

Latak 's journey is even more remarkable because he arrived at the US Open without seeding . Now, on the final day of the junior men's competitions, he will have the opportunity to win two Grand Slam titles in just a few hours – although, before thinking about the second final, he faces Guto Miguel , who also reaches the final with an outstanding campaign and has already won two junior Grand Slam titles in 2026: Roland Garros in singles and Wimbledon in doubles .

🟡 SEP 12, 2026 · KEEP AN EYE OUT

Guto Miguel and Marcel Latak will compete in the US Open junior final.

Brazilian Guto Miguel , 17 years old, number 1 in the world junior ranking and number 1 seed , will face American Marcel Latak , also 17 years old, number 41 in the world junior ranking and without seeding status , in the men's singles final of the 2026 US Open Junior Tournament , this Saturday, September 12 , in New York, with the match scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM New York time, on court 12 of the US Open court complex.

The two arrive at the final following very different paths. Guto entered the tournament as the top seed and already has two junior Grand Slam titles , both won in 2026: he was the Roland Garros singles champion and later won Wimbledon in doubles , partnering with Slovenian Žiga Šeško .

The Brazilian's campaign at the US Open had its most critical moment in the quarterfinals. Facing American Jordan Lee , Wimbledon junior singles champion, Guto lost the first set, rallied in the second, and took the match to a tie-break in the third. During the tie-break, he showed signs of physical difficulty, but managed to...   She saved three consecutive match points when she was down 9-8, 10-9, and 11-10 . After this series of risky situations, she won the tie-break 13-11 and secured her place in the semi-finals.

In the next phase, Guto found a less turbulent path. He faced Austrian Thilo Behrmann, No. 6 in the world junior ranking and No. 7 seed , and won 2 sets to 0, with a double 6/4 , reaching his second junior Grand Slam singles final of the season .

If he wins the title in New York, Guto will reach his third junior Grand Slam trophy in 2026 , considering both singles and doubles. More than that, he could become the first Brazilian to win two junior Grand Slam singles titles in the same season . Before him, the Brazilians who had already won the US Open junior singles title were Thiago Seyboth Wild, in 2018, and João Fonseca, in 2023 .

On the other side of the court will be an opponent whose trajectory in the tournament is noteworthy precisely because he did not start among the favorites. Marcel Latak secured his participation in the US Open after winning a preparatory tournament held in Canada .

From there, the American built a campaign marked by victories over higher-ranked players in the draw. In the first round, he eliminated Slovenian Žiga Šeško, the No. 6 seed . Later, he overcame Bulgarian Dimitar Kisimov, the No. 10 seed , in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

In the semi-final, Latak achieved his most impactful result to date. Against German Jamie Mackenzie, No. 2 in the world junior ranking and No. 2 seed , he produced 17 winners, including six aces , committed only eight unforced errors and won 2 sets to 0, with scores of 6/3 and 7/6(2) .

Latak 's campaign also has an unusual feature: he simultaneously reached the finals of both the men's singles and doubles at the US Open Juniors. Hours after defeating Mackenzie , he qualified for the doubles final alongside fellow American Tanishk Konduri . The last player to compete in both men's junior finals at the same US Open was China's Wu Yibing, in 2017 .

The match will therefore pit the leader of the junior rankings, already a winner of two Grand Slams this season, against an opponent who arrived at the US Open without seeding status and built his campaign by successively eliminating some of the tournament's top seeds .

For Guto Miguel , the final represents an opportunity to extend a season that has already placed him among the top names in world junior tennis. For Marcel Latak , it will be the chance to complete a surprising campaign with a title at home – and, still at the same US Open, also compete for the doubles trophy.