As he stepped up to the baseline, Alexander Zverev could be forgiven for letting his mind slip back to the last time he served for the US Open title
Six years ago, the German top seed threw away a two-set lead in a devastating loss to Dominic Thiem, having served for the match in the fifth set. This time, instead of his own nerves, it was American Ben Shelton and the majority of the 24,000-strong crowd that stood in Zverev's way. But this was a different Zverev: a Grand Slam champion now, having won the French Open in June.
Such was his focus that he did not initially realise he had sealed a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-2 victory. After firing down another unstoppable serve to win the match, Zverev returned to the baseline ready to start the next point - only to be told by his team the match was over.
"In that moment I was in the zone a lot. I didn't hear noise at all. It's funny - tennis teachers always tell you to just play the next point and forget about the score. At that moment I forgot about the score and it helped me," Zverev said.
As the realisation sunk in, the 29-year-old broke into a broad and slightly surprised smile before raising his arms above his head. It was a direct contrast to his defeat by Thiem in 2020, where a tearful Zverev said during the trophy presentation: "I wish one day I can bring the trophy home."
Now, his wish has come true.