Alexander Zverev beats Jakub Menšík to reach French Open final and Flavio Cobolli advances

Alexander Zverev has moved to within touching distance of a long-coveted major title after beating Jakub Menšík to reach the French Open final for the second time.

Second seed Zverev, who has lost three major finals including one at Roland-Garros two years ago, will face 10th seed Flavio Cobolli for the title.

Cobolli advanced after Matteo Arnaldi withdrew due to illness ahead of their all-Italian semifinal.

Zverev triumphed 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 over 26th seed Menšík.

"I knew that it would be my toughest challenge. I managed it and I won, so I'm happy," said Zverev, who became only the fifth active player to reach multiple French Open finals.

"It's amazing the way he [Menšík] played these last two weeks. He beat so many unbelievable players. 

"He started playing amazing in the third set, stepping up his ‌level, but this is a [major] with best-of-five-set matches.

"Things happen and your opponents will play better. You have to deal with it. I hope to play another great ⁠match on Sunday."

Zverev will approach the showdown against his close friend Cobolli with caution.

He lost to Cobolli in ‌the Munich semifinals in April.

When Zverev and Cobolli squared off again in Madrid last month, it was the German who prevailed to lead their head-to-head record 3-1.

"I look forward to playing him in the final," Zverev said.

"Of course, it's his first final, I'm happy for him that he reached it. But the only thing I can control is that I play good tennis. I will try to show my level."

Zverev on top early

A tight opening set on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier tilted Zverev's way when he struck a backhand crosscourt winner in ‌the 11th game on his way to breaking Menšík's serve.

The world number three sent down a powerful ace to pocket the first set and asserted himself with an early break at the start of the second set, as his 20-year-old Czech opponent's level ⁠briefly dipped in his first major semifinal.

Menšík sat with a towel over his head ‌during a changeover and his troubles deepened after the ‌restart, when Zverev took his game up a few notches and sealed a double break, before comfortably doubling his lead in the match.

After a long medical timeout for a neck issue, ‌ Menšík mixed his booming serve with deft drop shots to break for a 4-2 lead on his way to winning the third set.

But Zverev powered through the next set to seal victory.

"Today's match had a lot of stories," Menšík said.

"Of course, Sascha [Zverev] is a very tough ‌guy on the court. He's not giving you any ⁠free points.

"It's very tough to find the rhythm, especially when he's staying so far back, and you feel like you're hitting a wall.

"It was difficult to get into my zone. I had my game plan … it was super tough to choose the right shots. There were good moments and, of course, worse moments in that match."

Ill Arnaldi withdraws

As the dust settled on the absorbing semifinal, French Open organisers confirmed Cobolli had advanced to the tournament decider after Arnaldi withdrew with a virus.

"It's not what I wanted to do," Arnaldi said.

"Last night I started to feel unwell and then at dinner I started to feel so-so in my stomach and I ‌woke up at 1am and ‌started vomiting.

"It made no sense to play out of respect for him. It wouldn't have been a good match."

Cobolli said Arnaldi's withdrawal left him emotional.

"It was tough," Cobolli said.

"When he came to me with the news, I almost cried. I have a lot of respect for him and he's an inspiration for a lot of us."

Reuters