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.

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.

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