Zverev is the obstacle, not merely the other name on the poster. He beat Karen Khachanov 6–3, 7–6(7), 7–6(6), saving two set points in the final tiebreak. The official tournament report puts him 5–0 against Shelton, though they have not met at a major. That makes Sunday a test of whether Shelton’s breakthrough fortnight changes a matchup that has previously been distinctly uncomfortable. USTA match report
For today’s women’s final, watch the first-serve contest rather than just the emotional contrast. Sabalenka has spent 8h 47m on court this tournament, Rybakina 9h 43m; neither arrives carrying the men’s marathon workload. Rybakina has won both of her previous major finals. Official match notes