Extraordinary scenes as Flavio Cobolli invites FAN onto Court Philippe-Chatrier in practice session before French Open final with Alexander Zverev

Flavio Cobolli invited a fan onto Court Philippe-Chatrier in a practice session ahead of his French Open final with Alexander Zverev in extraordinary scenes.

Cobolli advanced to the final at Roland-Garros on Friday without playing a competitive match after Matteo Arnaldi pulled out owing to illness.

Those in attendance on Court Philippe-Chatrier witnessed a Cobolli practice session instead, while a lucky supporter played a quick game with the 24-year-old.

The fan even managed to get the jump on Cobolli to go 15-0 up with a cheeky no-look drop-shot that left the Italian rooted to the spot.

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However, business resumed shortly after as the fan failed to hit a return over the net before again mistiming a trick-shot.

Highlights: Watch as Zverev battles past Mensik to head into final as favourite

Video credit: TNT Sports

Cobolli will now face Zverev in Sunday's final after he beat Czech star Jakub Mensik as the 29-year-old looks to win the French Open for the first time.

Zverev was a losing finalist in 2024 and the German is still seeking a first Grand Slam success of his career.

But it was a cruel twist for Arnaldi, who had reached the last four of a major for the first time.

"At dinner I started to feel so-so with my stomach. I was like, ‘Alright, I just didn’t digest very well," the 25-year-old explained.

"But then I woke up at 1am and started vomiting and I wasn’t feeling the best. I then tried to sleep but couldn’t sleep at all.

"At 6-7am I vomited again. This time it was pretty bad. We called the doctor in the room. He came, gave me some stuff and I was hoping it would just be something from dinner or something like that.

"But throughout the day I couldn’t eat, every time I did something or drank, I would go back to the bathroom.

Watch heartbreaking press conference in full as Arnaldi reacts to shock withdrawal next to Cobolli

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It’s tough. Considering how the tournament was, and how many hours I’d spent on court I was feeling pretty good.

"To have to withdraw from the first Grand Slam semi-final is not something you’d wish on anybody.

"I tried to get ready and see if I could get on court, but every time I get up I feel dizzy and I don’t feel the best, and I’m pretty sure if I eat again I’m not going to feel good. That was the right decision for me to take."

• Arnaldi withdraws from French Open semi-final as Cobolli advances - Reaction to shock news
• Zverev overcomes 'toughest challenge' to reach second French Open final

Cobolli, meanwhile, added: "It’s tough for me to speak. When he came to me an hour ago, I almost cried. It’s something that you do not at all expect.

"I was ready to play this match. And when he [told me] I was sad for him.

"But at the same time, of course, I’m really happy with what I have achieved this week."

How to watch the French Open finals

You can watch the conclusion of the French Open live on TNT Sports.

All the finals will be available to stream both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

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