Zverev targets first Grand Slam title in French Open final

PARIS: Alexander Zverev will get another chance to chase a first Grand Slam crown when he faces Italy's 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in Sunday's French Open final, with the German seeking to end a run of three defeats in major title matches.

The 29-year-old was long viewed as a leading figure of the generation expected to challenge Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but did not break through in that period. Since then, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have gone on to collect 11 Grand Slam titles between them. At Roland Garros this year, however, Zverev has moved smoothly through the draw in a tournament where injured Alcaraz was sidelined and both Sinner and Djokovic made unexpected early exits.

Speaking about his approach, Zverev said he was concentrating only on his own level rather than the wider opportunity in front of him.

The only thing I can control is that I play good tennis

I mean, I will try to show my level. I will try to do the right things. Yeah, that's the only thing that matters to me.

Zverev has already collected major titles outside the Grand Slams, including seven Masters trophies, two ATP Finals titles and Olympic gold in Tokyo five years ago. But his first Slam final ended in disappointment when he lost to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open after leading by two sets. Four years later he was beaten by Alcaraz in the French Open final from two sets to one ahead, before Sinner defeated him in straight sets in last year's Australian Open final.

Zverev enters final as favourite

Unlike those earlier title matches, Zverev goes into Sunday's contest as the clear favourite. He and Cobolli are friends away from the court, and the German leads their head-to-head record 3-1. Zverev won their first meeting at Roland Garros in last year's third round in straight sets and also beat the Italian on grass in Halle. Cobolli earned his first win over Zverev in Munich during the 2026 clay-court season, but Zverev responded by defeating him in Madrid.

On facing a friend with a first Grand Slam title at stake, Zverev said:

I think when you play a Grand Slam final, it's not that difficult, because it means you reached the best stage in tennis

You reached the latest stage in tennis, and it's nice to share it, for sure. Of course, you still try to beat each other, and you still try to win, but that's okay.

Both finalists have come through the tournament with relatively little trouble, dropping only two sets each. Cobolli did not have to contest his semi-final after compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew because of illness. The Italian said the extra rest may or may not make a difference.

I will be fresh, for sure. Maybe it will help, maybe not. I tell you after the final

Zverev, who defeated Jakub Mensik in four sets in his semi-final on Friday, dismissed the idea that Cobolli would hold an advantage because of that circumstance.

Not really, because I feel fine. I didn't have brutally long matches. I honestly feel like I could play again now, so not really

Cobolli closes in on top 10

Cobolli, 24, had previously reached the quarter-finals of a major only once before, at Wimbledon last year, where he lost to Djokovic. His run in Paris has already guaranteed him a place in the world's top 10, and victory in the final would lift him to fifth in the rankings.

Describing the moment he secured a top-10 breakthrough, Cobolli said:

We had a big hug together with the whole team for achieving the top 10

Every time that I make the best ranking, we all together have a big hug. We did the same routine as always.

Cobolli is trying to become the first Italian man to win the French Open since 1976, ending a wait of 50 years that many had expected Sinner to finish this week. For Germany, Zverev is bidding to become the country's first men's Grand Slam champion since Boris Becker won the Australian Open 30 years ago.