Germany's Alexander Zverev reached the French Open final on Friday after defeating 20-year-old Czech 26th seed and first-time semi-finalist Jakub Mensik. The second seed and title favorite won the match in four sets, 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Following the match, Mensik compared playing against Zverev to "hitting a wall."
This victory puts Zverev in the fourth major final of his career, leaving him just one win away from securing a long-awaited maiden Grand Slam title. There has been significant pressure on the German to finally raise a trophy at the majors.
Zverev will face Italian dark horse Flavio Cobolli in the final on Sunday. The matchup carries a personal twist, as the two developed a friendship at the Laver Cup, and the support of Cobolli's father during difficult moments on tour deepened their ties heading into the showdown.