Alexander Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli to secure his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros

Germany’s Alexander Zverev reacts after winning the final tennis match against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli at the French Open in Paris (AP Photo) Alexander Zverev’s long wait for a Grand Slam title is finally over.The German star clinched the first major championship of his career on Sunday, defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the French Open final at Roland Garros. The victory came in Zverev’s fourth Grand Slam final, ending years of near misses on tennis’ biggest stages. When Cobolli sent Zverev’s second championship point over his head after a marathon battle of more than four hours, the third seed collapsed on the clay in celebration. Overcome with emotion, Zverev lay on his back before covering his face with his hands as tears streamed down his face. Covered in red clay, Roland Garros finally stood up to acknowledge the moment before raising his arms in triumph. The title places Zverev in a select group of players who have won their first major championship in their fourth Grand Slam final. The list includes former champions Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic and Dominic Thiem. The path to the title opened up significantly for Zverev after several of the sport’s biggest names left the tournament. World number one Jannik Sinner endured a tough campaign to squander a two-set lead and a 5-1 lead against Juan Manuel Cerundola in the second round. A day later, Novak Djokovic also dropped out, while two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament due to a right wrist injury. For Zverev, the triumph was particularly significant given his previous disappointments in Grand Slam finals. In the 2024 French Open final, he led from two sets to 1 against Alcaraz before losing. He previously squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final and was defeated in straight sets by Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open title match. The French Open crown is the 25th ATP title of Zverev’s career. Cobolli, meanwhile, appeared in the biggest match of his career. 14. The Italian had never advanced past a Grand Slam quarter-final before this tournament and was hoping to become the first Italian to win a singles title at Roland Garros since Adriano Panatta’s triumph in 1976. Panatta, who went through the same tennis club in Rome as Cobolli, was invited to present the Coupe des Mousquetaires on the 50th anniversary of his victory. In the end, the trophy went to Zverev. The German dominated the opening stages of the match, breaking serve in the first game and sweeping through the first set. Cobolli gradually worked his way back into the match, buoyed by the loud support of his team and the Italian fans in the stands. He even forced a deciding set after recovering from a 3-1 deficit in the fourth set tiebreak to seal it with a forehand winner down the line. But the effort seemed to take its toll. Cobolli faded physically in the fifth set, allowing Zverev to take complete control and cruise to victory. The men’s final followed Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva’s triumph in the women’s singles on Saturday to cap off a memorable fortnight at Roland Garros.