Alexander Zverev overcame Flavio Cobolli 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-7(5) 6-1 to win his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
The German outlasted his Italian opponent in a four hour epic to win his maiden Grand Slam title.
It was an incredible match from Cobolli but the Italian couldn’t physically match Zverev after four hours.
It’s fourth time lucky for Zverev who finally achieves his Grand Slam dream after losing three previous finals.
Both players were edgy at the start of the match but as expected it was Cobolli who was more nervous with this being the Italian’s first Grand Slam final.
A double fault was followed by some loose forehand errors from Cobolli as Zverev searched for the opening break.
There were some simple errors from Zverev on the forehand side as he missed three break points but was able to take advantage of Cobolli’s inconsistencies to convert his fourth break point.
Unlike Cobolli, this wasn’t Zverev’s first Grand Slam final as this was his fifth Grand Slam final and it showed as he cruised through a love hold.
The tenth seed was trying everything to settle the nerves and a hold of serve certainly helped Cobolli gradually build his way into the match.
However, there was still some erratic errors in Cobolli’s game while Zverev produced consistent and flawless power to break down the Italian’s defences.
There was too many errors from Cobolli as his second serve lacked any real aggressive intent to it which suited Zverev’s first strike tennis.
Two more breaks of serve was secured as Zverev took the opening set in 39 minutes.
There needed to be more consistency from Cobolli’s racket as he looked to limit the unforced error count and play the type of tennis that earned him into the final.
Especially as the German was putting tactical pressure on Cobolli which included a rapid serve to start the second set.
There was dropshots, forehands and aggressive backhands but they were all inconsistent as he was making errors.
However, Cobolli fended off the pressure from Zverev and gave himself more margin on his groundstrokes in order to gain confidence.
The serve wasn’t under pressure from Zverev but some clever tennis from Cobolli kept himself in the set as he was competitive and brought the crowd into this contest.
As he survived service holds, Cobolli was aggressive on return and now was starting to use his creative skillset to his advantage.
Some big passing shots and good depth allowed Cobolli to control the tempo of the points as his patient tennis paid off as he broke for a 4-3 lead.
There was momentum on Cobolli’s side and a smash winner consolidated the hold as all the pressure was on Zverev.
A frustrated Zverev could only shout at his coaches box as the quality from Cobolli’s racket only increased.
Despite Zverev producing some ridiculous shots to hold serve, a rush into the net secured the set for Cobolli with the match being one set all after 90 minutes.
In the third set, the confidence and momentum was with Cobolli as he continued to hammer the forehands past Zverev.
The Italian was brave and took maximum risks which was evident as he had to save two break points by approaching the net and with a massive forehand close to the line.
As the set went on, the more physical the rallies went as Zverev had to put the disappointment of not breaking serve behind him.
There were some tense moments during the set as Cobolli continued to put pressure on Zverev’s return while Zverev aimed to outsmart the Italian.
In the end it was some crucial errors from Cobolli when it mattered most as Zverev broke comfortably in the tenth game to take a two sets to one lead and it was now his turn to get the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd on their feet.
This match was tense as both players were playing for a lot at stake and that was evident in the fourth set as two double faults from Zverev gave Cobolli the break in the opening game.
That seemed to release Cobolli into his second set form as he produced some magnificent forehands to consolidate the break as he took a 3-1 lead.
However, this was unfamiliar territory for the Italian and he was too passive in the big moments as Zverev sensed blood.
The German broke back for 3-3 with the German once again having the finish line within his sights.
Another twist would be unveiled though as Zverev had completely lost his sense of purpose on serve.
A desperate attempt at serve and volley went wrong for the German as he conceded the break back with the tenth seed taking a 4-3 lead.
This match was going to be decided through who could be the mentally stronger player and Cobolli showed some incredible mental resilience to consolidate the break and take a 5-3 lead.
To Zverev’s credit, the German was fearless when behind in the score and used cramps in order to play some of the best tennis of the match so far.
The German played aggressive and proactive tennis as he broke back for 5-5 and then asked for medication mid-match from his friend Marcelo Melo.
It seemed to work as Zverev held onto his serve by the thinnest of margins as he was one game away from securing his first ever Grand Slam title.
There was drama. There was tension. As both players were vying for a massive personal milestone in their career.
An ace secured a hold to love for Zverev as this fourth set would be decided by a dramatic tiebreak.
This tiebreak had it all as Zverev looked in control with a 3-1 lead by Cobolli showed a surge in form as the forehand did the damage.
Two set points were created by Cobolli’s decision-making under pressure cost him as an ambitious dunk smash type shot backfired.
However, a drilling forehand from Cobolli sent Court Philippe-Chatrier into bedlam as this match would go to a deciding set.
The final set started with two dramatic and physically gruelling games in which Zverev managed to win both.
Cobolli had chances to finish points earlier but he couldn’t do it and Zverev took a crucial 2-0 lead.
Those emotional ups and downs in the fourth set started to affect Cobolli physically and he was unable to maintain his high-quality level that he produced in the previous three hours.
A comfortable backhand passing shot secured the double break and Zverev stormed through the rest of the set against a fatigued Cobolli to win in his first Grand Slam title.
It is years in the making as Zverev finally achieved his childhood dream and won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
As for Cobolli, it’s heartbreak for the Italian who can hold his head high after an outstanding tournament which culminates in him reaching the top ten next week.
