Sensational at Roland Garros, Arnaldi withdraws before the match and Cobolli reaches the final against Zverev

The Italian derby at Roland Garros 2026 will be cancelled. Matteo Arnaldi was forced to withdraw due to a flu virus, granting Flavio Cobolli direct access to his first career Grand Slam final. On Sunday at 15 p.m., the Roman will face German Sascha Zverev, who defeated Jakub Mensik in four sets, for the title at Philippe-Chatrier.

Arnaldi forced to withdraw due to virus

A few minutes before the start of the semi-final, the loudspeakers at the Philippe-Chatrier announced the withdrawal of Matthew ArnaldiThe organizers of the Parisian Slam have specified that the Ligurian tennis player was stopped by a flu virus, with symptoms of stomach pain that had already manifested themselves since the previous evening. The withdrawal, painful to accept, prevented the Italian derby from being played against Flavio Cobolli, thus allowing the Roman to access the final on Sunday.

First Slam final for Cobolli 

Flavio Cobolli, Thus, he reaches the final without playing the semifinal. The Roman tennis player will have the opportunity to play his first career final at Slam level, with the chance to add a historic achievement to his path to Roland Garros 2026. He will face on Sunday Sascha Zverev, World number 3, fresh from a four-set victory over Czech Jakub Mensik (7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3).

Zverev chasing his first Slam

With the success over Mensik, Sascha Zverev He's reached the fourth Grand Slam final of his career, having lost the previous three. Cobolli will therefore face an experienced opponent, ready to put on a match that promises to be a spectacle on the red clay of Paris. On Sunday, the Philippe-Chatrier will host the final of a Grand Slam that will still see Italy dominate despite the withdrawals of Sinner in the second round and Arnaldi in the semifinals.