Going Fourth: Zverev Reaches 4th Major Final at Roland Garros

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, June 5, 2026
Photo credit: Lionel Hahn/Getty

Electric expectation greeted Alexander Zverev as he walked on Court Chatrier.

Today, a power-driven Zverev struck with buzz-kill conviction defusing depleted Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to charge into his second Roland Garros final in the last three years.

Sweeping 18 of 20 sets during a dominant French fortnight, Zverev has dismantled two of tennis’ top young power players—Rafael Jodar and Mensik—and now hopes the fourth time is the charm to complete his maiden major pursuit.

“Not [feeling] much at the moment,” Zverev told TNT’s Mary Joe Fernandez afterward. “We still have a match to play on Sunday.

“That’s what we’re here for, that’s what we’re focusing on. I want to focus on that.”

The 2024 French Open finalist Zverev advanced to his fourth Grand Slam final where he will play an Italian opponent—either 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli or surprise semifinalist Matteo Arnaldi—in Sunday’s final that will crown a maiden major champion.

“I knew it was going to be the toughest challenge I’ve had so far. I managed. I won. I’m happy,” Zverev said. “He started playing amazing the third set. He really stepped up another level.

“But you know this is a Grand Slam. This is best-of-five set matches. Things are going to happen. Opponents are going to play better. You have to deal with it. You you have to manage it. I did. I’m hoping to play another great match on Sunday.”

Carrying a Head racquet bag and lifetime of major expectations onto Court Chatrier, Zverev wears the label of best player yet to win a Grand Slam title like a tattoo. 

Now, the second-seeded German stands one win from rebranding himself as a Grand Slam champion. 

It’s a quest that has seen his entire family—mom Irina taught him his strokes, father Alexander, Sr. and brother Mischa are his coaches—commit to the cause throughout his life for a shot at this major moment. Zverev has won 18 of his last 20 French Open matches.

The man who owns a 2024 French Open first-round win over King of Clay Rafa Nadal, saved three break points holding for 4-all today. 

After that, the 6’6” Zverev was nearly untouchable on serve.

Zverev served 75 percent, won 16 of 26 second-serve points, pumped 8 aces and saved three of four break points in an authoritative three hour, one-minute triumph.

“I always found a way, even when it got difficult,” Zverev said. “Jakub started playing amazing tennis in the third set and I found a way in the fourth set…

“I’m happy with the win for sure.”

Piling on cross-court combinations as the set progressed, Zverev tested the wheels of the 20-year-old Czech, who went the distance in an epic fifth-set tiebreaker win over Mariano Navone in round two that spanned four hours 41 minutes and fought off 11th-seeded Andrey Rublev in a five-set fourth-round win. Mensik, who left the court for treatment early in the third set, looked depleted as the match wore on, while Zverev found his groove and pounded the ground in a confident close.

The sun suddenly emerged from behind a cluster of clouds as Zverev slid an ace out wide holding to level 5-all in the opener.

In the 11th game, Mensik’s self-sabotage and Zverev’s speed combined to create the first break. 

The Czech double faulted twice then bailed out with a poor drop shot that sat up. Swooping in, Zverev smacked a forehand crosscourt. Mensik had an open court down the line but flicked a forehand into the net as Zverev broke for 6-5.

On his third set point, Zverev snapped an ace down the T taking the one-hour opener on the strength of strong serving when he needed it most. Zverev served 71 percent, winning 21 of 27 first-serve points in the set. Mensik served 55 percent taking 18 of 23 first-serve points, but was 0 for 3 on break point opportunities.

The high sun seemed to sap the energy from Mensik, who had toiled four hours longer than Zverev to reach this maiden semifinal stage. 

Increasingly, the Czech tried to impose his net play and carve out drop shots to shorten points. Zverev was not fazed.

The German spun a topspin forehand pass for double break point. Mensik again resorted to the drop shot, Zverev ran it down, then raced backward to retrieve one more ball he pounded away breaking for a 2-1 second-set lead.

A confident Zverev was playing off his front foot directing baseline rallies and Mensik looked as unsteady as a marathoner confronting a series of challenging hills. 

Pressing his fingers into the back of his neck as if pained by a migraine, a drained Mensik netted a weary double fault into net handing Zverev the double break 5-2 lead.

The man in black closed the curtain, serving out a two-set lead after 95 minutes of play.

After holding for a 2-1 third-set lead, Mensik left the court for treatment of an apparent neck issue. 

Play resumed after about a seven-and-a-half minute break and Zverev turned up the torment. Running Mensiki ragged, Zverev watched as the Czech tossed his racquet at one ball well beyond his reach.

Banging his way out of a bleak state, Mensik began swinging more freely to drive the former finalist back. Flicking successive forehand drop shot winners, Mensik broke for 4-2 then backed up the break with a quick hold for 5-2.

Unleashing a shot-making storm, Mensik deployed the slick serve-and-volley then snatched the third set with a brilliant backhand dropper slathered with backspin that died in the dirt. That tremendous close saw the Czech force a fourth set after two hours, 15 minutes.

All that good work Mensik did to take the third set dissipated in dust to start the fourth set. 

A framed forehand return from Zverev fell in near the sideline, Mensik went all in on his favored backhand down the line but landed it long ceding the break and a 2-0 lead to Zverev.

The world No. 3 held at 30 to confirm the break for 3-0 after two and a half hours of play.

Zverev zapped his eighth ace then sealed the win embracing Mensik at net.

Winning a maiden Grand Slam championship is demanding.

Winning a maiden major when you’re the overwhelming favorite is an even tougher task.

Sure, Zverev has benefitted from a favorable draw, but he’s withstood severe stress and now the dream is within reach.

The 29-year-old Zverev improved to 34-9 on the season, including 19-4 on dirt.

“We’re athletes, to be honest though, very few of us have anything in our heads anyways,” Zverev said of facing pre-match nerves. “So sometimes it’s easier to be stupid and not think too much.”

Zverev has felt the gory pain of major final defeat and now stands one win from ultimate Grand Slam glory.

Will the fourth time be the charm? We’ll find out on Sunday.