Alexander Zverev finally has the major title that had eluded him since the beginning of his career. This Sunday, in the Roland-Garros final, the German beat the Italian Flavio Cobolli after a five-set match: 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 [5], 6-1.
At 29, Zverev won the first Grand Slam tournament of his career. He achieved this on the Parisian clay, after several defeats in Major finals and a controlled fortnight in a draw shaken up by the early exits of the favorites.
An authoritarian departure, then a fight
Zverev got his final off to a perfect start, dominating the first set 6-1. More solid and precise, he quickly imposed his rhythm on Cobolli, who was outmatched in the rallies and under pressure on his serve. The Italian responded in the second set. More aggressive and more decisive in his decisions, Cobolli took advantage of a less sharp spell from Zverev to level the match at one set apiece, 6-4. The German regained the lead in the third set, winning it 6-4, before Cobolli fought back once again. The fourth set, which the Italian won in a tiebreak, prolonged the suspense and forced the final into a fifth set.
The fifth set of deliverance
In the final set, Zverev immediately regained control. Fresher in his approach and more consistent in the rallies, he quickly established a lead. Cobolli, courageous but less consistent in the crucial moments, couldn't keep up with the German's pace. Zverev closed out the final 6-1 in the last set, sealing the biggest victory of his career.
A fourth final finally won
This final was Zverev's fourth Grand Slam final. Having lost at the 2020 US Open, the 2024 French Open, and the 2025 Australian Open, the German had previously stumbled at the final hurdle. In Paris, he finally seized his opportunity. The favorite after Jannik Sinner's second-round elimination, Zverev lived up to expectations and added his name to the Roland-Garros trophy cabinet.
Cobolli defeated, but a surprise finalist
Flavio Cobolli leaves Roland-Garros with his first major final appearance. The Italian put up a fight, snatched a tense fourth set, and refused to give in for much of the match. But against a more experienced and more solid Zverev in the fifth set, Cobolli couldn't pull off the upset. His final appearance nevertheless confirms his progress at the highest level.
