The path to a Grand Slam title had never been clearer for Alexander Zverev, and the German took advantage.
Defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 on Sunday in Paris, Zverev finally captured his first Grand Slam title and topped the French Open after whiffing on his previous three major final appearances.
It was a victory that was years in the making for Zverev, who was a 24-time tour-level titleist entering the match.
While the 24-year-old Cobolli pushed Zverev and played well enough to trade off sets, the decider belonged to the World No. 3.
Zverev couldn’t have gotten off to a stronger start, going up two breaks and fending off three break points in the fourth game for a commanding 4-0 lead.
Despite committing nine double faults, Zverev landed 76 percent of his first serves in the final.