Zverev Reaches Roland Garros Final: A Shot at His First Grand Slam Title. Alexander Zverev is once again a step away from his first Grand Slam title. In the Roland Garros final, he will face Italian Flavio Cobolli. The German has already lost in the decisive matches of major tournaments three times.
In Paris, Alexander Zverev found himself in the spotlight after the exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. The German tennis player, who turns 30 this year, has once again earned a chance to claim his first Grand Slam title. In the Roland Garros final, his opponent will be Italian Flavio Cobolli, who is making his debut at such a high stage. For Zverev, this will be his fourth attempt to win the main trophy, but he lost the previous three finals.
In 2020 at the US Open, Zverev came close to victory, leading by two sets against Dominic Thiem, but lost in the deciding set. In the Roland Garros final two years ago, he couldn't hold his advantage against Carlos Alcaraz. And in January 2025 at the Australian Open, the German lost to Jannik Sinner. Now Zverev is once again on the verge of long-awaited success, and the question of whether he can overcome the psychological barrier remains open.
After the semifinal against Jakub Mensik, Zverev noted that he feels more confident than in past finals. According to him, the serve problems that troubled him in 2020 are a thing of the past. This time he is considered the favorite, as Cobolli lacks experience playing in finals of such caliber. The Italian, ranked 14th in the world, has reached his first Grand Slam final and has already secured a spot in the top 10.
Experts note that this final is Zverev's best chance yet to finally claim a title. John McEnroe believes that if the German does not seize this opportunity, the pressure on him will only increase. Boris Becker also emphasizes that Cobolli won't be an easy opponent, despite his lack of experience in decisive matches. This season, the rivals have met twice on clay: Zverev won in Madrid, Cobolli in Munich.
The players' physical condition remains an important factor. Cobolli gained an extra day of rest after Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from the semifinals, but the Italian himself admits that a long pause can disrupt match rhythm. Zverev, in turn, notes that he does not feel fatigued after his previous matches. According to Andre Agassi, the psychological factor could play a key role: Zverev's recent loss to Cobolli on clay might add extra pressure in the final.
Over his career, Alexander Zverev has won 24 titles, including seven Masters 1000, two ATP Finals, and Olympic gold. However, none of these achievements can replace a Grand Slam victory. His generation has repeatedly fallen short against both the 'Big Three' and the tour's new leaders. Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev have already claimed major trophies, while Zverev still remains without a Grand Slam title despite his consistency and high ranking.
Interest in the Roland Garros final is further fueled by the fact that in recent years, the German tennis player has regularly faced Italian opponents. His last six defeats have all come at the hands of Italians, including Cobolli and Sinner. However, as russpain.com notes, such streaks do not always become a decisive factor—in other sports, such as football, unexpected twists can happen even in the most intense matches, as was the case in the match between Liverpool and Chelsea..
The Roland Garros final will take place today, with the broadcast scheduled on Eurosport and DMAX. For Zverev, this is not only a chance to make history, but also an opportunity to finally live up to the expectations that have followed him since his youth. If he wins, the German will become the first player from his country to win Roland Garros in singles in recent decades. The outcome of the match will determine whether Zverev can shed the status of an 'unfinished star' and take his place among Grand Slam champions.
