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Alexander Zverev finally won the Grand Slam title that threatened to elude him after overcoming Flavio Cobolli and his own nerves to win a thrilling five-set French Open final.
The 29-year-old German secured his first long-awaited major win with a 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 win over 10th seed Kobolli on Sunday evening in Paris.
After losing all three of his previous Grand Slam finals, second-seeded Zverev became increasingly tough against opponents in his first championship match.
This was in contrast to the start of the match, where Zverev raced through the first set and quickly reasserted his authority after Kobley snagged the second.
But stress levels mounted for Zverev in a dramatic fourth set where he was broken down twice, made a series of costly double faults and needed electrolytes to fight off cramps.
Cobley was unable to serve at 5-4 in the fourth set and blew his first set point with a simple forehand volley in the tie-break, but recovered to force a decider.
Both men continued to display grit in a final set that was entertaining and exciting to watch.
Zverev made a few low errors to take the double break to 3-0 and Koboli pulled himself over the line as he ran out of steam.
When Kobley hit a smash long on the second match point, Zverev immediately dropped to the ground and cried into his hands.
World number three Zverev is the first person other than Janic Sinar or Carlos Alcaraz to win a Grand Slam singles title since 2023.
The leading two players had swept the past nine majors between them, but Sinner’s early exit in Paris, and Alcaraz’s injury-related absence, created a golden opportunity for the rest of the field.
Zverev assumed the title as favorite – and, despite the burden of expectations, managed to deliver in the long run.
