Alexander Zverev stands one match away from the Grand Slam title that has eluded him throughout his career after the second seed defeated Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Friday to book his place in the French Open final against Flavio Cobolli.
The German will face 10th seed Cobolli on Sunday at Court Philippe Chatrier, with his Italian opponent reaching the final without having to play his semi-final after Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from the tournament due to illness shortly before their last-four tie was due to begin.
Zverev has endured a painful history at the Grand Slams, suffering three final defeats including a loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros two years ago. Sunday represents his clearest opportunity yet to finally end that wait. He holds a 3-1 winning record against Cobolli and arrives in the final having dropped only two sets across six matches, leaving him physically fresh for the occasion.
“This is a Grand Slam, it is best of five, things are going to happen, opponents are going to play better. I managed it,” said Zverev after his victory. “I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”
Playing in his 11th Grand Slam semi-final, Zverev’s experience told decisively against the 20-year-old Mensik, who was appearing in a major semi-final for the first time. The Czech youngster had expended enormous energy in the earlier rounds, twice going the distance in five-set matches, and that cumulative toll became increasingly visible as Friday’s contest progressed.
Zverev won a tightly contested opening set with a break in the 11th game, having earlier saved three break points when Mensik threatened to establish a 5-3 lead. The second set was far more straightforward, with the German breaking twice and dropping only four points on his own serve to race into a two-set lead.
Mensik responded with genuine spirit in the third set after calling for a medical time-out early in proceedings, appearing to struggle with a neck problem. He broke to lead 4-2 and used his drop shot with increasing effectiveness to level the match and take the set, giving himself a foothold in the contest. Zverev had now lost only his second set of the entire tournament, but he responded in the manner of a player who has spent years learning how to manage the pressure of major occasions.
Consecutive backhand errors from Mensik gifted Zverev a break at the start of the fourth set and the German never looked back, closing out the match on his first match point. His win was not without minor controversy, as he drew displeasure from sections of the crowd for disputing two line calls and received a warning for a time violation, but the result was never seriously in doubt from the moment he re-established his advantage.
“Pure emptiness, there is absolutely nothing in my head,” said a smiling Zverev in his on-court interview. “We are athletes and very few of us have anything in our heads. Sometimes it is easier to be stupid and not to think too much.”
The victory also means Zverev will be bidding to end a 14-month title drought dating back to a clay-court event in Munich in April last year. His opponent Cobolli, meanwhile, has dropped just two sets throughout the tournament and impressed considerably in his quarter-final win over Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Italian was visibly emotional after learning of his compatriot Arnaldi’s withdrawal.
“It is tough for me to speak also,” said Cobolli. “When he came to me an hour ago I almost cried. At the same time I am happy with the result this week.”
Arnaldi, ranked 104th in the world, had taken the longest route of any player to a Grand Slam semi-final, winning marathon matches in the third and fourth rounds before his quarter-final opponent Matteo Berrettini retired injured. A virus ultimately ended his remarkable run.
