2 min readUpdated: Jun 7, 2026 11:28 PM IST Alexander Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final to finally win his maiden Grand Slam title after a grueling 5-set epic. This was the pair’s 5th match against each other. Zverev had won three of his four career meetings with Cobolli, including a straight-sets victory in the third round in Paris a year ago. But they’ve also split two encounters on clay this season: Cobolli won in straight sets in Munich and Zverev won in straight sets in Madrid. But the German won arguably their biggest encounter on with the final score reading 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1. Zverev was an overwhelming favorite for the title ever since the top-ranked Jannik Sinner struggled in the first week’s heat wave and wasted a two set and 5-1 lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. A day later, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was also eliminated. Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time reigning champion, withdrew before the tournament with an injured right wrist. This …