Alexander Zverev is keeping the Grand Slam dream alive as he storms into the French Open final

Alexander Zverev emphatically kept his Grand Slam dream alive, advancing to the French Open final after a clinical win over Jakub Menšík on Court Philippe Chatrier. The world number three won 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and one minute on Friday, June 5, showing both her resilience and ability to raise her level when it mattered most.

It is Zverev’s fourth major final after the 2020 US Open, 2024 Roland Garros and 2025 Australian Open, but he is still chasing his first Grand Slam title. After losing a thrilling final to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris 2024, the German will be desperate to finally break his Grand Slam slump. Dropping just two sets in the entire tournament underscores his dominant run, now one win away from history.

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After the match, Zverev praised Menšik, saying: “He started playing amazingly in the third set. He really took it to another level. But this is a Grand Slam, it’s the best five-set matches. The opponents are going to play better. You have to deal with it, I did and I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”

In the final, Zverev will face the winner of the all-Italian semi-final between Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi.

ZVEREV DOMINATES MEN

Zverev made a strong statement of intent by dominating Menšík in the opening two sets. The first set was even, with both players trading hard shots and repeatedly reaching deuces in the first games. Menšík even created three break opportunities, but Zverev’s composure under pressure showed in the decider when he saved each one.

The break came at 5-5. Menšík came through under pressure with two double faults and a careful drop shot, which allowed Zverev to rush into a crucial break. The German then held his nerve and, after an hour of intense tennis, closed the set 7:5 with a confident ace.

From there, Zverev raised his level dramatically. He broke early in the second set to take control and never looked back, dictating the rally with deep, piercing groundstrokes. He won about 93 percent of his first serve points and gave Menšík almost no openings.

By the time he cruised to a 6-2 sets win in just 35 minutes, Zverev was firmly in command and completely turned the match in his favour.

THE MENSIK REBOUNDS

The junior showed strong resilience and fighting spirit to fight back after trailing by two sets against Alexander, who initially looked in control. Zverev won the opening two sets and continued the pattern we’ve seen throughout the tournament of being highly efficient on serve and difficult to break.

But Menšík’s answer in the third set was decisive. Rather than weaken, the Czech teenager increased his aggressiveness, stepped closer to the baseline and began targeting Zverev’s backhand more consistently. His improved return game finally earned him the breakthrough he was looking for as he began to convert pressure into crucial breaks of serve.

Once in front, Mensik held his nerve brilliantly, mixing crisp serves with gutsy drop shots to close out the third set 6-3. It was clear that even after two tough sets, he still had the belief and physical energy to challenge one of the most experienced players on the biggest stage.

ZVEREV HAS THE LAST LAUGH

Just as Mensik threatened to script another dramatic turnaround, Zverev had the last word and closed the door with authority and experience. The momentum briefly shifted after Menšík’s spirited fightback in the third set, but Zverev responded immediately in the fourth, hitting a decisive break early to take a 2-0 lead and take full control.

From that moment on, Zverev toughened up in the competition. He raced to 3-0, then 4-2, dictating from the baseline with heavy, accurate strokes while holding serve with calm efficiency. Each rally seemed to underscore his composure on the biggest stage as Menšík was forced deeper and deeper behind the baseline, searching for answers that never quite came.

Although the Czech youngster refused to go quietly and tried to prolong the battle, Zverev’s pressure never let up. After almost three hours of intense semi-final tennis, the German was only one serve away from victory. And he duly delivered, closing out the match with authority and having the last laugh as he booked his place in the French Open final.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

05 Jun 2026 21:36 IST