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Zverev fulfills career dream with Grand Slam trophy
Alexander Zverev broke through on his fourth try on Sunday, finally claiming a Grand Slam single title with an emotional 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 defeat of Flavio Cobolli to win the French Open.
The world No. 2 came good after near-misses at the US Open six years ago, Australia last season and here two years ago when he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
As Cobolli smashed long on a second match point deep in the fifth set, Zverev fell flat on his back on the clay, with tears streaming down his face.
Cobolli crossed around the net to hug his friend and opponent.
Alexander Zverev (GER) beats Flavio Cobilli (ITA) in five sets in Men’s final.
Cobolli congratulates the winner Photo:- Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Victory after four and a quarter hours of struggle brought a career dream to life for the 29-year-old, first German to win a major since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open.
Zverev came to the final with the loss of just two sets over the Paris clay fortnight, defeating an Italian opponent who advanced through his semi-final with a walkover after Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi was unable to play due to a stomach virus.
The 14th-ranked Coboli had not played a match since Wednesday, leaving him short of competitive court time heading into the biggest one of his career.
Zverev was overcome by the moment after his previous Grand Slam heartbreaks, including a semi-final ligament injury against Rafael Nadal in 2022 which saw him taken off court in a wheelchair .
“The crowd is so special to me in so many ways,” the winner said. “I’ve had the best and worst moments of my life on this (Chatrier) court. Two years ago I lost the final and in 2022 I was laying on the ground with seven broken ligaments.
“But I’ve really felt that the crowd has been pushing me through these entire two weeks.
“Without them I would have not won the tournament.”
He added; “We (players) have been through so much, so many injuries, heartbreak, losses…but at the end of the day we are Grand Slam champions and that’s what counts.”
After four hard-fought sets and nearly four hours, Zvereve took control in the fifth, going up a double break on Cobolli, who was starting to tire from the marathon.
Zverev reached 5-1 and three match points, with Cobolli sending a smash wide on the second to end the encounter and hand Zverev his biggest prize.
“It’s not easy for me to talk right now,” Cobolli said. “If someone asked me who deserves this title more, it is you,” he told Zveerev.
“I’m happy for you but i’m also sad because I was close and i feel it
“Now that you’ve achieved your dream, let me win the next time.”
The first game of the final lasted for nearly 10 minutes, with Cobolli dropping serve with a mis-hit after saving three break points.
The pace immediately quickened as Zverev began to apply pressure, breaking the Italian for 4-1 and polishing off the set two game later with a sizzling cross-court winner with a second break.
Cobolli levelled up as he won the second set, breaking for 4-3 and following with a smash winner and a hold as Zverev netted on set point.
The German recovered in the third for the match lead but began the fourth with a poor game to lose serve as Cobolli again threatened.
Alexander Zverev (GER) with Coupe des Mousquetaires after beating
Flavio Cobilli (ITA) in five sets in Men’s final
Photo:- Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
The start of the fourth set was a disaster for Zverev, who immediately dropped into a 0-1 hole as he was broken. He got it back five games later for 3-all.
The effort was for nought as the seed stuffed a backhand volley into the top of the net as Cobolli broke for the second time in the set and eventually took the final into a deciding fifth.
All photos:- Roger Parker / International Sports Fotos Ltd
Elina Svitloina sent Ukraine into the BJK Cup final in China with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Jasmine Paolini on Saturday at what organisers bill as the “women’s Davis Cup” in China.
The victory in Shenzhen clinched a spot for war-torn Ukraine against Czechia in the title match to be staged on Sunday in the metropolis near Hong Kong.
Italy, a two-time defending champion also lost the day’s opening rubber as Anhelina Kalinina defeated Tyra Grant 6-3, 6-4.
Svitolina’s win counted as revenge for a loss she took to Paolini in the competition a year ago; she also ended a 10-match BJK win streak for the two-time Grand Slam champion from the south of Italy. .
“Just a really special moment for us, for Ukraine,” Svitolina said. “We are going through difficult times back home — all the people. It’s just unbelievable to get for the first time in a final.
“It was a really tough loss for me last year here,” she added after losing in 2025 from 4-2 up). I really had to be focused and really step up my game.”
The Czech are led in the final by Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova and runner-up Karolina Muchova while multiple Grand Slam champion Katerina Siniakova holds down the doubles duties.
Czechia owns 11 BJK (previously the Fed Cup) trophies, second only to the US with 18.
Main photo:- Elina Svitolina puts Ukraine into BJK final – by WTATennis.com
Laver Cup debutant Lerner Tien showed he’s fast on the rebound as the American took inspiration from coach Andre Agassi to level the Laver cup score a 3-3 with a Saturday win in London over Flavio Cobolli.
Tien, at 20 a young gun on the Rest of the World side, defeated Italy’s Roland Garros finalist 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.
With Day 2 win counting two points each, the victory in 97 minutes put teammates Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz on level-pegging heading into their later singles tests against Europe.
World has won four of the previous five titles in the exhibition run by Roger Federer’s management group in honor of the Swiss icons tennis idol, Rod Laver..
Tien, who won the spring Geneva ATP title, said he has to make a major reset after losing the second set to Cobolli, fighting back to win the match tiebreak third set at the O2.
“I can reset pretty easily,” the No. 13 said. “In this format, the score does not matter so much. Everyone always had a chance.
“To put the second set behind me was pretty good.”
Tien dropped serve twice in the second set after winning the first. But his deciding set fightback made the difference for his side.
“I just went into lockdown, there are some moments where the ball if just there to go for it. It was still tough to get through.”
The youngster gave full credit to Agassi for his inspiration. “Andre has given me more knowledge than everyone combined. It’s good to have a voice like that on the sidelines encouraging you. It’s very helpful.”
Casper Ruud and Rafa Jodar combined to start and finish Friday’s opening stage of the Laver Cup as their victories sent Europe into a 2-1 lead over Rest of the World in London.
Norway’s Ruud began day 1 play with a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8 defeat of Argentina Francisco Cerundolo while Spanish prodigy Jodar finished off the programme 6-2, 6-4 ovr Alexander Bublik in a winning debut at the team exhibition conceptualised by Roger Federer in 2017 to hour is tennis hero Rod Laver.
Jodar, who turned 20 only days ago, spent 84 minutes in adding a point for Europe coached by French legend Yannick Noah and earning his own 38th match win of this breakthrough season.
“It was a pleasure to represent Team Europe for the first time. I felt great on court. I played against a tough player… I think the atmosphere was great, so thank you everyone for coming” the winner said.
The unpredictable Bublik was unable to match it with the Spanish youngster ranked 14th
Jodar won eight of his final nine service points for the win. Jodar and Carlos Alcaraz combined for a one-two punch in the concluding doubles rubber, defeating Bublik and Taylor Fritz to end the day with a 3-1 European lead
Main photo:- Casper Ruud opens the scoring for Team Europe – ISF Ltd
Svitolina clinches BJK Cup finals spot for Ukraine
Tien’s great re-set ties Laver at 3-all
Europe grabs Laver lead on opening day
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