Before Saturday, Flavio Cobolli had lost both previous meetings against Alexander Zverev without winning a set. In the BMW Open semifinals, the Italian turned the tables on the three-time Munich champion with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory, the biggest result of his young career.
At 22 years old and ranked 16th in the world, the Roman is confirming his rise to the highest level. His 2026 season had already taken a decisive turn in Acapulco, where he claimed his first ATP 500 title by defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final. In Munich, he went one step further by dispatching the world No. 3 and defending champion on his home turf.
Cobolli's Munich run has been flawless. Not a single set dropped across four matches, with wins over Vit Kopriva, Zizou Bergs, and Diego Dedura before the statement victory against Zverev. Against the crowd favorite, the Italian never flinched. His aggressive tennis and composure under pressure evoke the best of Italian clay-court tradition, from Berrettini to Sinner.
On Sunday, Cobolli faces Ben Shelton in the final. The American second seed also advanced in straight sets against Slovak qualifier Alex Molcan (6-3, 6-4). A generational clash between two 22- and 23-year-olds who embody the next wave of men's tennis.
For Cobolli, this final is about more than a single match. After years in the shadow of Italy's bigger names, the Roman is writing his own story — one where he backs down from no one.
