Flavio Cobolli, bitter third set in Roland Garros final against Zverev
The Roland Garros final reopens after a start that seemed to point the trophy toward Alexander Zverev. The German dominated the first set with a clear 6-1, but Flavio Cobolli reacted like a champion, raised the level of his tennis and took the second partial 6-4, re-establishing parity after an hour and 35 minutes of play.
The Roman’s approach was complicated. At the first Slam final of his career, emotion sets in and already in the opening game he is forced to cancel several break points. After more than eight minutes of battle, however, Zverev finds the lead and immediately takes control of the set. While not shining on serve, the German proves more solid in the backcourt exchanges, while Cobolli pays for a long series of free errors and struggles to impose his rhythm. The second break comes in the fifth game and allows Zverev to stretch to 4-1, digging a furrow that appears decisive.
The German number one administers the lead without any particular difficulty and closes the first set on 6-1 thanks to a winning forehand. In the second partial, however, the match changes face. Cobolli enters the court with a more aggressive attitude, regaining depth with his forehand and confidence with his backhand forehand. The serves dominate the scene until 3-3, when comes the episode that changes the inertia of the match.
Zverev, until then almost flawless, suddenly drops in intensity. Between free errors and double faults he concedes space to the Italian, who increases the pressure in response and wins the break for 4-3. This is the key moment of the match. Cobolli immediately confirms the lead with an authoritative serve, embellished by spectacular shots that ignite the audience.
The German tries to hang on to the set and in the ninth game cancels a set point to shorten to 5-4. When it comes time to serve for the partial, however, Cobolli does not tremble. A heavy ace and a splendid backhand forehand bring him within a step of the goal. On the decisive point, it is Zverev who misses a comfortable backhand volley, handing the second set to the Italian.
In the third partial, however, the German comes back to make the difference in the decisive moments. At 4-4, Cobolli stumbles into a lapse that costs him his serve and, in fact, the set. Zverev took advantage of this, went up 5-4 and guaranteed himself the chance to serve for the partial, putting himself ahead in the final with a score of 6-4. For the Roman, the situation becomes more complicated: to win the title, a comeback will now be needed, which requires winning two consecutive sets.
