Zverev, Cobolli set up French Open final as new champion awaits

Alexander Zverev moved within one victory of his long-awaited first Grand Slam title after reaching the French Open final on Friday, where he will face Italy's Flavio Cobolli in a clash guaranteed to produce a first-time major champion, reported Xinhua.

Second seed Zverev defeated Czech youngster Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, while Cobolli advanced to his maiden Grand Slam final after compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew shortly before their semifinal due to illness.

The most experienced player among the four semifinalists, Zverev reached the fourth major final of his career. The German is still chasing his first Grand Slam title after finishing runner-up at the 2020 US Open, 2024 French Open and 2025 Australian Open.

Against 20-year-old Mensik, Zverev stayed composed in key moments. The opening set remained tight until the German broke in the 11th game before serving it out 7-5.

Zverev then took control in the second set with two breaks, before Mensik responded in the third to claim his first break of the match.

The German regained momentum in the fourth set, racing to a 3-0 lead before closing out the victory to return to the Roland Garros final for the second time in three years.

"Today definitely was the most difficult match. He's been playing fantastic tennis," Zverev said. "Even when there were some difficult moments when I lost the third set, I feel like I managed well. I came back and played some good tennis."

Mensik had enjoyed a breakthrough run in Paris, beating Andrey Rublev and Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca en route to his first Grand Slam semifinal.

Arnaldi, who had spent 19 hours and 42 minutes during his run to the last four, averaging almost four hours each match on court, said withdrawing from his first Grand Slam semifinal was a painful decision.

"To have to withdraw from the first Slam semifinal is not something that you wish to anybody," Arnaldi said. "Every time I get up, I feel dizzy. There was really no way that I would be able to play."

Cobolli said he felt mixed emotions at advancing without taking to the court.

"When he came to me almost one hour ago, I almost cried," Cobolli said. "I was completely sad for him. But at the same time, of course I'm really happy for the result that I reached this week."

"Now I'm sad and happy at the same time," the 24-year-old added.

Seeded 10th, Cobolli will appear in his first Grand Slam final. Zverev said he was looking forward to facing a player he knows well.

"He's a great player, great guy. I like him," Zverev said. "When you play a Grand Slam final, it means you reached the biggest stage in tennis. It's nice to share it. Of course, you still try to beat each other."

In the girls' singles, China's 15-year-old Sun Xinran defeated Brazil's Victoria Luiza Barros 6-2, 6-3 to reach her first Grand Slam final.