2026 French Open Men's Final: Zverev vs. Cobolli

[El Dude]

Damn, Cobolli's fast.

 

[El Dude]

Zverev's getting the yips. Two double faults in the first game of set 4.

 

[Fiero425]

Agreed. DelPo on a slightly higher level than Thiem. But I would say that but for injuries Thiem would probably have matched that level. But in saying that the obvious response is that but for injuries DelPo's peak would have been even higher. People often forget that after his first major injury his backhand was never the offensive weapon it used to be, I think he damaged his left wrist and he was never able to extend it in the same way again. We saw what it would have been like in the RG 2009 match he played against Roger. He hit bombs from both sides. I would love to have seen that DelPo playing in majors against the top guys. Their records might not be quite as good. There was power there that couldn't really be dealt with. One of the great tennis tragedies in my opinion

The BH may not have been as good after 2009, but the FH was still feared; even by Djokovic! People forget how JC could really embarass members of the Big 3; Rafa being demolished 2, 2, & 2 in the '09 USO SF IIRC! He could come out of nowhere like in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games defeating Novak in the 1st, then taking Silver Medal! He kept Roger on court for hours contributing to his loss in the 2012 London Olympic Games Final losing to Murray as well!

 

[El Dude]

Implosion incoming...

 

[don_fabio]

Zverev's getting the yips. Two double faults in the first game of set 4.

My eyes are bleeding watching this. He literally needs the opponent to retire the match.

 

[El Dude]

Zverev tooks tentative, Cobolli playing all out.

 

[Federberg]

Yeah, agreed. A healthy Del Potro might have been Wawrinka, but with a more well-rounded career (3-4 Slams, a half dozen Masters). We might be talking about Murray vs. Delpo vs. "Best of the Rest" of the Big Three era.

A healthy Thiem might have stolen a Slam or two away from Djokodal in 2021-23. But alas, what could have been.

oooooh... we need to be careful there. We often forget how many Masters finals Andy competed in and won. I'll admit I was guilty of Murray slander back in the day. But looking back now, we have to give him the respect he deserves. He was in a place by himself. I think an uninjured Delpo would have been a danger particularly in slams but I never got the impression he was going to die in a ditch for a Masters. I would therefore put him in the Wawrinka territory but on steroids. It would probably be Big 3......... Andy Murray............... Delpo...... Wawrinka... the rest.

I would also suggest that it would be unfair on Cilic to put him in the Tsonga/Berdych category. How many slam finals was he in? 3? 4? I don't think either Berdych or Tsonga sniffed more than one? Or was it none? I forget. I would have Cilic slightly above those guys

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

My eyes are bleeding watching this. He literally needs the opponent to retire the match.

Don
I didn think you were going to watch the final

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Flavio Forza! consoldiate well done!

 

[Federberg]

The BH may not have been as good after 2009, but the FH was still feared; even by Djokovic! People forget how JC could really embarass members of the Big 3; Rafa being demolished 2, 2, & 2 in the '09 USO SF IIRC! He could come out of nowhere like in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games defeating Novak in the 1st, then taking Silver Medal! He kept Roger on court for hours contributing to his loss in the 2012 London Olympic Games Final losing to Murray as well!

oh absolutely! When Delpo was in the mood, and you could tell in some matches he wanted it. Then you knew the top 4 were going to have problems with him. Am I right in thinking he was more of a problem for Roger and Novak than Rafa and Andy? Feels that way in retrospect

 

[Federberg]

oh good grief! If this goes to 5 I'm not trusting Sasha. I'm telling you that right now

 

[don_fabio]

Don
I didn think you were going to watch the final

I can't help myself. Just wanted to make sure Zverev still has yips.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I can't help myself. Just wanted to make sure Zverev still has yips.

He did lol! this isnt a good final by any means, I lost count with the UFE that Flavio did, at least he is playing better now, gosh he wanted to

 

[El Dude]

oooooh... we need to be careful there. We often forget how many Masters finals Andy competed in and won. I'll admit I was guilty of Murray slander back in the day. But looking back now, we have to give him the respect he deserves. He was in a place by himself. I think an uninjured Delpo would have been a danger particularly in slams but I never got the impression he was going to die in a ditch for a Masters. I would therefore put him in the Wawrinka territory but on steroids. I would probably be Big 3......... Andy Murray............... Delpo...... Wawrinka... the rest.

I would also suggest that it would be unfair on Cilic to put him in the Tsonga/Berdych category. How many slam finals was he in? 3? 4? I don't think either Berdych or Tsonga sniffed more than one? Or was it none? I forget. I would have Cilic slightly above those guys

I've often advocated for Andy belonging more in the Edberg/Becker/Wilander camp, rather than the Courier/Kuerten camp. I think he was a comparable player to those three, but playing during a much harder context...same number of Slam finals (11) as Wilander and Edberg, and one more than Becker, but he was always facing one of the three GOATs. Poor dude.

I like your "Next Three" of the Big 3 era...I mean, who knows. Delpo would have been there, and narrowed the gap between the Big 3 and the field.

 

[don_fabio]

Flavio Forza! consoldiate well done!

On a serious note, this match reminds me of Zverev Thiem in USO. It's not pretty. Remember the quality of tennis in Fonseca Ruud match for example. But Cobolli just doing his thing, the opportunity is here and he might take it as it is now. For sure he looks like he has more courage and his serve and volley game looks good enough. We shall see.

 

[the AntiPusher]

oooooh... we need to be careful there. We often forget how many Masters finals Andy competed in and won. I'll admit I was guilty of Murray slander back in the day. But looking back now, we have to give him the respect he deserves. He was in a place by himself. I think an uninjured Delpo would have been a danger particularly in slams but I never got the impression he was going to die in a ditch for a Masters. I would therefore put him in the Wawrinka territory but on steroids. I would probably be Big 3......... Andy Murray............... Delpo...... Wawrinka... the rest.

I would also suggest that it would be unfair on Cilic to put him in the Tsonga/Berdych category. How many slam finals was he in? 3? 4? I don't think either Berdych or Tsonga sniffed more than one? Or was it none? I forget. I would have Cilic slightly above those guys

No Stan was better than JMDP.. ..I just can’t see Juan defeating Novak at those slams like Stan did. Yes he got passed a jaded Rafa at the USO and he chased down a very moody in his feelings that day Roger..Stan gave Novak a few scares at AO..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Here we go, Flavio honestly

 

[El Dude]

Ugh, that was so Zverev. First break opportunity at 0-40 and he does nothing, with an open-ish court.

 

[Federberg]

two more chances but that was a pathetic forehand. Grow some balls man!!!

 

[Federberg]

pussy....