Alexander Zverev kept his Grand Slam dream alive in emphatic fashion, storming into the French Open final after a clinical victory over Jakub Mensik on Court Philippe Chatrier. The World No.3 won 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and one minute on Friday, June 5, showcasing both his resilience and his ability to raise his level when it mattered most.
This marks Zverev’s fourth major final after the US Open 2020, Roland Garros 2024, and Australian Open 2025, but he is still chasing his first Grand Slam title. Having lost a thrilling final to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris in 2024, the German will be desperate to finally break his Grand Slam jinx. Only two sets dropped all tournament underline his dominant run as he now stands one win away from history.
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After the match, Zverev heaped praise on Mensik, saying, “He started playing amazingly in the third set. He really stepped up to another level. But this is a Grand Slam, it’s best-of-five set matches. Opponents are going to play better. You have to deal with it I did and I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”
In the final, Zverev will be up against the winner of the all-Italian semifinal between Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi.
ZVEREV DOMINATES MENSIK
Zverev produced a powerful statement of intent as he dominated Mensik across the opening two sets. The first set was tightly contested, with both players exchanging heavy blows and repeatedly reaching deuce in the early games. Mensik even created three break-point opportunities, but Zverev’s composure under pressure proved decisive as he saved each one.
At 5-5, the turning point arrived. Mensik cracked under the pressure with two double faults and a tentative drop shot, allowing Zverev to pounce for the crucial break. The German then held his nerve, closing out the set 7-5 with a confident ace after an hour of intense tennis.
From there, Zverev elevated his level dramatically. He broke early in the second set to seize control and never looked back, dictating rallies with deep, penetrating groundstrokes. Winning around 93 per cent of points behind his first serve, he gave Mensik almost no openings.
By the time he raced to a 6-2 set win in just 35 minutes, Zverev was firmly in command, having completely shifted the match in his favour.
MENSIK BOUNCES BACK
Mensik showed strong resilience and fighting spirit to bounce back after falling two sets behind against Alexander, who initially looked firmly in control. Zverev had taken the opening two sets, continuing a pattern seen throughout the tournament where he has been highly efficient on serve and difficult to break.
But Mensik’s response in the third set was decisive. Rather than fading, the Czech teenager increased his aggression, stepped closer to the baseline, and began targeting Zverev’s backhand with greater consistency. His improved return game finally earned him the breakthrough he had been searching for, as he started converting pressure into a crucial break of serve.
Once ahead, Mensik held his nerve brilliantly, mixing sharp serving with bold drop shots to close out the third set 6-3. It was a clear statement that even after two tough sets, he still had the belief and physical energy to challenge one of the most experienced players on the biggest stage.
ZVEREV HAS THE LAST LAUGH
Just when Mensik threatened to script another dramatic twist, Zverev had the final word, shutting the door with authority and experience. The momentum had briefly swung after Mensik’s spirited third-set fightback, but Zverev immediately responded in the fourth, striking early with a crucial break to surge into a 2-0 lead and wrestle back full control.
From that moment on, Zverev tightened his grip on the contest. He raced to 3-0, then 4-2, dictating from the baseline with heavy, precise hitting while holding serve with calm efficiency. Every rally seemed to underline his composure on the biggest stage, as Mensik was forced deeper and deeper behind the baseline, searching for answers that never quite came.
Even as the Czech youngster refused to go quietly and tried to extend the battle, Zverev’s pressure never relented. After nearly three hours of intense semifinal tennis, the German stood just one service hold away from victory. And fittingly, he delivered, closing out the match with authority and having the last laugh as he booked his place in the French Open final.
– Ends
