Alexander Zverev finally ended his long wait for Grand Slam glory on Sunday, defeating Flavio Cobolli in a gripping five-set French Open final to secure the first major title of his career.
The second-seeded German overcame a spirited challenge from the Italian to claim a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 victory at Roland Garros, putting behind him the disappointment of three previous Grand Slam final defeats.
Zverev’s triumph also made him the first player outside Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to win a men’s singles Grand Slam title since 2023, ending years of frustration and near misses on the sport’s biggest stage.
The 28-year-old appeared firmly in control early in the contest, cruising through the opening set before responding strongly after Cobolli levelled the match in the second. However, the encounter became increasingly tense as the pressure mounted, with Zverev battling nerves, double faults and physical discomfort, including a spell of treatment for cramp during a dramatic fourth set.
Cobolli, competing in his first Grand Slam final, produced a determined performance and refused to fade despite setbacks. The Italian recovered after failing to serve out the fourth set and regrouped after missing an early set point in the tie-break, eventually forcing the match into a deciding fifth set.
But the 24-year-old was unable to sustain his level in the final set. Zverev seized control by capitalising on a string of unforced errors to race into a 3-0 lead before confidently closing out the match as Cobolli struggled physically.
The decisive moment arrived when Cobolli sent a smash long on Zverev’s second championship point, prompting the German to collapse onto the clay in celebration as he finally captured the Grand Slam crown that had eluded him throughout his career.
The victory comes at a time when the men’s game has appeared more open than in recent years. With Sinner eliminated earlier in the tournament and Alcaraz sidelined by injury, Zverev embraced his status as the leading contender and delivered the breakthrough success many had predicted for years.
