Zverev, Shelton Return to Davis Cup Action After US Open Final

Posted : 16 September 2026

Newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev will make a quick return to competitive tennis this weekend when Germany face Croatia in the Davis Cup qualifiers. The German star lifted his second Grand Slam title on Sunday after defeating Ben Shelton in the US Open final.

Zverev will now switch his attention to national-team duty as Germany aim to secure a place in the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna in November. Germany will host Croatia in Halle from September 18 to 20, with the tie forming part of seven second-round qualifying matches that will determine the teams joining defending champions Italy at the Finals.

The 29-year-old admitted after his US Open triumph that members of his coaching team had encouraged him to take a break rather than immediately return to action. However, Zverev chose to represent Germany as the country seeks its first Davis Cup title since 1993.

Croatia will provide the opposition, with veteran Marin Cilic and promising youngster Dino Prizmic among the players expected to feature. Germany also have recent Davis Cup experience on their side after reaching the semifinals last year, where they were eliminated by Spain in a deciding doubles match.

Shelton will also be back on court just days after reaching his first Grand Slam final. The American lost to Zverev in New York but has been selected for the United States team that will face the Czech Republic in Prague on September 18 and 19.

The United States will be without Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, leaving Shelton with increased responsibility in a team that also includes Learner Tien and Martin Damm. The Czech Republic, captained by former world No. 4 Tomas Berdych, will feature Jakub Mensik, Jiri Lehecka, Tomas Machac and Vit Kopriva.

The meeting is a repeat of last year's second-round qualifying tie, when the Czech Republic defeated the United States 3-2 in Delray Beach.

Elsewhere, Spain will face Chile in Santiago, with 19-year-old Rafael Jodar set to make his Davis Cup debut. Great Britain will host Ecuador in London, while Austria take on Belgium.

Canada will meet France in Quebec City, with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Arthur Fils among the players scheduled to feature. The seven winning nations from this week's ties will join Italy in Bologna for the eight-team Davis Cup Finals in November.

Zverev, Shelton Return to Davis Cup Action After US Open Final

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