Zverev defeats Mensik to book spot in French Open final, sets title clash against Cobolli
Paris, June 6
Alexander Zverev is one victory away from fulfilling his long-standing Grand Slam ambition on Friday night, booking his place in the Roland Garros final for the second time in his career.
The second seed produced a composed and clinical performance to overcome rising Czech star Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals.
Despite a spirited fightback from the 20-year-old in the third set, Zverev maintained control for much of the contest to secure his spot in Sunday's championship match.
The victory sends the German into his fourth Grand Slam final and gives him another chance to capture the first major title of his career when he returns to Court Philippe-Chatrier for the title showdown.
With fellow title contenders Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic bowing out early, the draw opened up significantly, but Zverev still had to maintain his high standards to capitalise on the opportunity.
The German has done exactly that, producing a dominant campaign in Paris and dropping just two sets across six matches en route to the final.
The 29-year-old's latest run has also secured his place in the record books, making him only the fifth active men's player to reach multiple singles finals at Roland Garros. With another title-match appearance on the Paris clay, Zverev now stands just one win away from capturing the elusive first Grand Slam crown of his career.
Zverev came within one set of the title in Paris in 2024 and has also finished runner-up at the US Open in 2020 and the Australian Open last year. In his latest bid on Sunday, World No. 3 Zverev will face 10th seed Flavio Cobolli.
"He started playing amazingly in the third set. He really stepped up to another level. But this is a Grand Slam, it's best-of-five set matches. Opponents are going to play better. You have to deal with it... I did, and I hope to play another great match on Sunday," Zverev said as per the ATP Tour website.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So happy for Zverev! He's worked so hard, and now with Djokovic and Sinner out, this is his best chance. 🎾 Cobolli is playing fearless tennis though, very impressive to see an Italian stepping up. Hope he also brings a good fight on Sunday.
Menšík is only 20 and already in a Grand Slam semi—that's huge for Czech tennis! Yes, Zverev was better on the day, especially his serve, but Menšík's fight in the third set shows he belongs at this level. I think we'll see him winning Majors in the future. 🙌
Zverev's record in Grand Slam finals isn't the best (0-3), and Cobolli will smell blood. But this time the draw has opened up, and he's playing some of his best tennis. Still, I worry about his mental strength in big moments. Let's see if he can finally get that monkey off his back.
Zverev's stat of being the 5th active player with multiple Roland Garros finals is really impressive. But I feel for Menšík—he played so well in that third set. Cobolli vs Zverev final is not what people expected but that's the beauty of tennis, eh? New matchups. Go get 'em, Sascha!
I'm actually rooting for Cobolli here. Nothing against Zverev, but I love seeing new faces at the top. Flavio has this beautiful all-court game and reminds me of a young Federer at times. That
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