Around the precise moment Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi were due to walk out on Court Philippe-Chatrier last Friday for the biggest match of their careers, the pair instead found themselves deep inside the stadium looking thoroughly dejected in the Roland Garros interview room.

Had the circumstances not been so serious, with Arnaldi withdrawing from his first grand slam semi-final because of illness, the scene would almost have seemed absurd. Someone in the organisation clearly lacked judgment when they placed Cobolli beside a player carrying a virus just two days before his own first grand slam final.

Once he left the interview area and moved straight into a practice session, Cobolli had already turned his attention forward. Only a heavyweight clash with second seed Alexander Zverev now stands in his way, and both men will be chasing a maiden grand slam crown. It remains unclear whether the missed match on Friday will ultimately help or hinder the Italian.

In a tournament where countless players have pushed their bodies to the limit in pursuit of a deep run, the gift of additional rest carries real value. Yet Cobolli noted that competitors develop a rhythm across a slam fortnight, and regular matches help preserve sharpness and resilience. Overcoming the tension of a semi-final also offers some preparation for the intense atmosphere of a title match.

Still, this marks a major step for the lively and outgoing Cobolli, who has long sought a defining breakthrough. He clearly belongs at this level. One of the fittest athletes on tour, he possesses a devastating forehand, excels as a returner and employs an effective kick serve on clay while steadily expanding his all-court skills. The remaining task is to assemble these elements with the focus and consistency required against elite opponents.

His handling of matches amid the surrounding disorder has stood out most during this campaign. While the top half of the draw produced repeated upsets and lengthy five-set battles, Cobolli maintained high standards, closing out contests efficiently and staying ready to seize his chance.

His strongest results so far include a Wimbledon quarter-final last year, two ATP 500 crowns and a career-high ranking of 12. Perhaps most telling was his contribution to Italy's Davis Cup triumph last November without Jannik Sinner, where he won all three of his rubbers. At 24, reaching the final here represents a clear leap forward.

The pair have met twice already on clay this season, with Cobolli claiming his first victory over Zverev in the Munich semi-finals in April before losing to him in Madrid. Zverev prevailed in straight sets at Roland Garros last year and remains the favourite for a first major title. Even so, Cobolli benefits from knowing exactly what to expect and how to overcome his German opponent.

Tennis was not always the obvious path for Cobolli. Football came first, and he competed at a high level in both sports before choosing one. He showed enough promise on the pitch to train alongside several future professionals who are still his friends, including Riccardo Calafiori, Edoardo Bove and Nicola Zalewski.

While others might weigh such decisions on practical grounds, Cobolli followed his preference for individual competition. No setting tests composure, tension management and peak performance under pressure more than standing alone on a grand slam final court. His debut in that environment will reveal much about his future direction.