Cobolli Takes Walkover Into Roland Garros Final

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, June 5, 2026
Photo credit: Davis Cup Facebook

Flavio Cobolli’s spirited Roland Garros run continues with a walkover into the final.

In a stunning turn of events, Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from the first all-Italian men’s major semifinal in Open Era history due to a viral illness.

It’s just the fourth time since 1968 a Grand Slam semifinal ended in a walkover.

“To be honest, I think it’s a virus I think, because I was feeling pretty cold,” said Arnaldi, who conducted his presser alongside friend and compatriot Cobolli. “I think I had a fever, like, during the day. I don’t know, to be honest.

“I just know that I can’t move, and I can’t eat, and I can’t drink. So, it’s, like, there was really no way that I will be able to play.

“I feel sorry for everyone that got the tickets and came, all the Italians that came to watch us. I feel happy for him that he’s going to play the final, but at the same time, sorry because we couldn’t play a match, you know, so it’s tough to be here.”

The 10th-seeded Cobolli advanced to his maiden major final where he will face second-seeded Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s title match.

Cobolli, who received the news of the walkover less than an hour before the pair were set to walk on for the semifinal, said it’s a bittersweet moment.

“I mean, it’s also tough for me to speak now. You know, when he came to me almost one hour ago, I almost cried,” Cobolli said. “You know, it’s something that you don’t expect at all. I was ready to play this match. When he came, I was completely sad for him.

“But, at the same time, of course I’m really happy for the result that I reached this week.”

The walkover win—first in four years in a major semifinal since Rafael Nadal withdrew sending Nick Kyrgios into the 2022 Wimbledon final—is a milestone moment for Cobolli who will crack the ATP Top 10 for the first time when the new rankings are released on Monday.

“My dad also came to me right before him, and we had a big hug together with the whole team for achieving for the top 10,” Cobolli said. “Every time that I make the best ranking, we all together have a big hug. We did the same routine as always. Yeah, now I’m sad and happy at the same time.”

The 24-year-old Cobolli is bidding to become the first Italian man to win Roland Garros since legendary Adriano Panatta, who will be on hand to present the Coupe de Mousquetaires on Sunday, won the French Open 50 years ago on the strength of his swashbuckling serve-and-volley style. The 2010 Roland Garros ladies’ champion Francesca Schiavone is the last Italian player to win the French Open singles title.

Earlier, Zverev defeated 20-year-old Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to advance to his fourth Grand Slam final, including his second Roland Garros title match in the last three years.

This chaotic clay Slam will climax with a maiden major champion crowned on Sunday capping a wildly unpredictable two weeks that included scorching 90-degree heat in week one and whipping wind gusting up to 35 miles an hour in week two.

Arnaldi advanced to his maiden major semifinal after compatriot Matteo Berrettini retired trailing Arnaldi 7-5, 5-2 in the quarterfinals.

Olympic gold medal champion Zverev has beaten Cobolli in three of four career clashes, including a 6-1, 6-4 triumph over the Italian Davis Cup hero in the Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinals last month. Cobolli’s lone win was a 6-3, 6-3 sweep in the Munich semifinals earlier this season.

Though Cobolli carried an ignominious 1-16 record vs. Top 10 opponents onto court for the April 18th Munich meeting vs. Zverev, he used his finishing forehand and speed around the court to control this semifinal and score his second career Top 10 win.

Cobolli out-aced Zverev seven to zero and converted four of five break points in a 69-minute triumph.

It was Cobolli’s first Top 5 win.