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Alexander Zverev finally broke his Grand Slam duck on Sunday 7 June 2026, beating Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-7(5-7) 6-1 in a dramatic French Open final in five sets to win his first major title at the fourth attempt.
The 29-year-old second-seeded German became the first male German player to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires since Henner Henkel in 1937, ending an 89-year wait for his country at Roland-Garros.
–Zverev keeps his nerve in chaotic tournament–
With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated by the first week’s heatwave and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic dumped earlier, Zverev was the overwhelming favourite. But faced with 14th place Cobolli, a finalist for the first time, he was pushed to the brink.
The big-serving German overcame the first game 6-1, lost the second 4-6, and then regained control 6-4 in the third. Cobolli refused to give in, snatching the fourth-set tiebreaker 7-5 to force the decision.
Zverev ruthlessly regrouped. He won the fifth set 6-1, collapsing to the ground in disbelief as he joined the Roland-Garros roll of honour.
It was redemption for Zverev, who lost in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 final. Four finals, four years of heartbreak, a historic turning point.
–Teen star Andreeva also crowns the success race–
On Sunday, teenager Mirra Andreeva completed her coming-of-age story with the first French Open women’s title, making it the wildest Grand Slam tournament in years.
–How it happened – key moments–
1. Set 1: Zverev beat Cobolli 6-1 in 32 minutes, using serve + forehand to dominate.
2. Set 2: Cobolli adjusted, broke late and tied the score 6-4 as Paris held its breath.
3. Set 3: Zverev’s experience showed. One break was enough for 6-4 and 2-1.
4. Series 4: Drama. Cobolli saved match points and won the tiebreak 7-5 to force the fifth.
5. Set 5: Zverev restored. He broke twice and closed 6-1 to end 89 years of German suffering.
–“I finally did it”–
Zverev fell to his knees after the match point, covering his face before climbing into the stands to hug his team. “Four finals… I finally made it,” he told the audience. “This is for Germany.”
