French tennis player becomes youngest winner of a Grand Slam match

French teenager Moise Kouame introduced himself to the Grand Slam scene in style this Tuesday (26) by defeating former US Open champion Marin Cilic 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-1 at Roland Garros, becoming the youngest tennis player to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam tournament in 17 years.

Invited by the organizers with a wildcard, the 17-year-old Frenchman demonstrated complete calm on the Simonne Mathieu court, in his Grand Slam debut, against an opponent 20 years older and former number three in the world.

Cilic, 2014 US Open champion and semi-finalist at Roland Garros in 2022, arrived in Paris ranked 46th in the world, but was dominated by the fearless young man, whose defensive speed and precision left drew constant applause from the crowd.

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Current number 318 in the world, Kouame won a balanced first set in the tie-break after saving two set points, before taking total control of the match.

"It wasn't easy. I always try to stay in the present moment and not think too much about the score. Today I managed to do that very well", said Kouame in an on-court interview.

The Frenchman did not concede any break points throughout the match and confirmed the victory in straight sets.

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At 17 years and two months, Kouame became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match since Australian Bernard Tomic, who reached the second round of the 2009 Australian Open at age 16.

He is also the youngest tennis player to advance beyond the first round at Roland Garros since Romanian Dinu Pescariu, who achieved the feat in 1991 at the age of 17 years and one month.

"It's a lot of emotion, something exceptional. When I arrived at the tournament, I didn't know exactly what to expect. My team and I worked hard to arrive as prepared as possible," said Kouame.

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Coached by former French tennis player Richard Gasquet, the teenager achieved only the second victory of his career at ATP level, after winning his first match at the Miami Masters in March.

His next opponent will be Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, who advanced after the withdrawal due to injury of the number 20 seed, Cameron Norrie.

Kouame's standout campaign caps a rapid rise this season.

The Frenchman won three ITF titles - the third level of the professional circuit - and received several wildcards for important tournaments, including the Miami and Monte Carlo Masters.

"All the experience I gained in Miami and Monte Carlo probably helped me a little," Kouame told reporters.

"Technically, I felt pretty calm. I knew I was prepared and felt good mentally and physically."

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Source: CNN