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QualityShot Tennis PodcastAuthor: QualityShot
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US Open 2026 Review Ft. Steve Flink
Saturday, 19 September, 2026
A full review of the 2026 US Open with one of the most respected voices in the sport: STEVE FLINK, International Tennis Hall of Famer and author of "The Greatest Tennis Matches of All Time" and "The Immortals of American Tennis."Steve has been covering this tournament since the early 1970s, when Bud Collins hired him to do research at Wimbledon and the US Open. He spent 17 years at World Tennis magazine and 15 more as senior writer at Tennis Week. There are very few people alive who can place a fortnight like this one in its proper historical context — so that's exactly what we did.WHAT WE COVERAlexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 for his SECOND Grand Slam title — six years after leading Dominic Thiem by two sets in the 2020 final on this same court and losing. It caps a season with a maiden major at Roland-Garros, the Wimbledon final, and semifinals at all four Slams.Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 for her THIRD major and first US Open, denying the two-time defending champion a three-peat that would have made her the first woman to do it since SERENA WILLIAMS in 2012-14. Rybakina has now beaten Sabalenka in both 2026 Grand Slam finals and moves to World No. 1.And the American question Steve has written a book about. Ben Shelton became the first American man in a Grand Slam final since ANDY RODDICK IN 2003, the first Black American man in a US Open final since ARTHUR ASHE IN 1972, and the first in any major final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996 — and the drought now stretches to 23 years. We asked Steve where Shelton fits in that lineage, and what it will actually take.We also get into Shelton's 3:33 A.M. win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz — the latest finish in US Open history — and where it ranks among great US Open matches; Novak Djokovic's first-round exit to Mariano Navone, his first opening-round Grand Slam loss in twenty years; Zheng Qinwen's run from qualifying to the quarterfinals; and what Jannik Sinner's absence meant for the draw.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro – US Open 2026 review with Steve Flink00:40 Rybakina's US Open title run – injury doubts to champion07:50 Rybakina becomes World No. 1 – handling the pressure10:25 Rybakina vs Sabalenka final – the best servers in women's tennis13:00 Rybakina's net play, movement & improved tennis IQ17:00 Sabalenka's Grand Slam final record – what's next?20:10 Coco Gauff – serve improvements & semifinal run22:45 Jessica Pegula – is time running out for a first Slam?27:20 Linda Noskova – backing up Wimbledon vs Sabalenka28:35 Naomi Osaka's comeback – the 5-0 turnarounds31:10 Alexander Zverev wins the US Open – two Slams in 202633:10 Has Zverev's level improved, or was it the draw?41:35 Ben Shelton – beating Alcaraz, Tiafoe & first Slam final50:40 Novak Djokovic's first-round loss – is time catching up?57:10 Carlos Alcaraz's comeback after 4.5 months out61:05 Final thoughts & wrap-up- Mantis 10%: https://mantissport.com/qualityshot10 (At Checkout)- IM8 10% OFF: https://im8.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=2077 (Code QST10 at Checkout)- Acemate: https://www.acematetennis.com?sca_ref=11586466.udoQ3GLV6m55xoG1&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=standard-affiliate-commission&utm_content=affiliate-QualityShot-Tennis---Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP, the WTA or the US Open.#USOpen #Tennis #SteveFlink
