France, June 8 -- Zverev prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 after four hours and 16 minutes to become the first German man to lift the French Open singles crown since tennis was opened to professional players in 1968.

"This court is so special to me in so many ways," said Zverev after receiving the Coupe des Mousquetaires from the 1976 champion Adriano Panatta.

"I've had the best times and the worst times," Zverev added in reference to an injury during a semi-final against Rafael Nadal that kept him off the circuit for nearly a year.

"Four years ago I was lying over there in a corner with broken ligaments and I lost here in the final two years ago. Finally, it's a happy end."

The 29-year-old gave himself the dream start against an oppo...