Alexander Zverev is confident he is returning to his top level as he chases a first major title at the French Open.

Zverev booked his place in the Roland-Garros showpiece on Friday with a 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory over Jakub Mensik.

It is his fourth grand slam final – and his first since losing at the Australian Open in 2025 – and he will face Flavio Cobolli for the trophy on Sunday.

The German has claimed a 44th men's singles match win at Roland-Garros, equalling David Ferrer (44) for the most of any player in the Open Era not to have won the event. He has now reached the final in Paris twice, previously losing to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in 2024.

"It's not been like that long. It was last year, so not a very long period of time," he said when asked about his journey back to a grand slam final.

"Throughout most of the time, I was either number two or number three in the world. I felt like I was going to find it again. Of course, I'm happy to be back at the stage.

"[Facing Mensik] definitely was the most difficult match. He's been playing fantastic tennis.

"Even when I lost the third set, I feel like I managed well. I came back and played some good tennis. So, I'm happy about that."

Cobolli reached a maiden grand slam final without having to hit a ball, with his semi-final opponent Matteo Arnaldi having to withdraw from their final-four clash due to illness.

The 24-year-old has become the third male player born since 2000 to reach a final at a grand slam event, after both Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. 

Arnaldi pulled out of the semi-final just 20 minutes before the match was due to start, having failed to find a solution that would have allowed him to play.

"[On Thursday], I was feeling okay. I came here to practice. I did everything I had to do, and I was feeling fine. Then I had dinner. I started to feel so-so with my stomach. I was, like, 'All right, just didn't digest very well'," he said.

"But then I woke up at 1am, and I started vomiting, and I wasn't feeling the best. Then I tried to sleep. I couldn't sleep at all. At 6, 7am I vomited again. This time was pretty bad… I think I had a fever 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."