Alexander Zverev advanced to the French Open final for the second time in his career with a four-set victory over Jakub Mensik on Friday, moving within one match of his first Grand Slam title. Zverev defeated the 20-year-old Czech 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, controlling the opening two sets before Mensik mounted a brief third-set rally that Zverev extinguished in the fourth.
Why Zverev is the overwhelming favourite
The 29-year-old German enters Sunday's final as the clear favourite after the tournament's top seeds collapsed in the early rounds. No. 1 Jannik Sinner exited in the second round, while two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament with a wrist injury, and Novak Djokovic fell in the first week. This marks the first time since 2023 that neither Sinner nor Alcaraz will win the men's title at a major.
Zverev has reached his 11th Grand Slam semifinal and is appearing in his fourth major final. He lost the 2020 U.S. Open final to Dominic Thiem after squandering a two-set lead, fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final after leading two sets to one, and was beaten in straight sets by Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open. At 29, Zverev has limited remaining opportunities to break through at the majors.
Who is Zverev's opponent?
Flavio Cobolli will face Zverev in the final after Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from their semifinal due to a virus. Arnaldi, ranked 104th, had spent 19 hours and 42 minutes on court to reach the semifinal—more than any player at a Grand Slam since 1991—but reported vomiting overnight and dizziness that made competition impossible. Cobolli, ranked 14th, will play in his first Grand Slam final, guaranteeing a maiden major champion.
The path to the final
Mensik, ranked 26th, was playing in his first Grand Slam semifinal after defeating No. 8 Alex de Minaur and No. 28 João Fonseca in earlier rounds. The Czech teenager required a medical timeout after falling behind 2-1 in the third set and rallied to take that set 6-3, but Zverev regrouped decisively in the fourth, breaking early and holding serve to close out victory in just under three hours. Zverev finished with 42 winners, including 30 on the forehand side.
The French Open final is scheduled for Sunday, June 6.