Moise Kouame, the 17-year-old French tennis sensation, made history at Roland Garros by beating Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2, 6-6 (10-8) in the second round, becoming the youngest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003.
Earlier, Kouame stunned former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the first round, becoming the youngest male player to win a Grand Slam match in 17 years. Vallejo, 22 and ranked 71st in the world, mounted a remarkable comeback from two sets down to level the match, then surged to a 5-3 lead in the fifth set, only for Kouame to break back.
The match unfolded amidst fervent home-court support. Kouame showed composure with outstanding down-the-line backhands and the fastest serve of the match at a crucial moment. After a tense tie-break, he clinched victory, drawing roaring applause from French fans who hailed him as a rising star.
This win not only matches Nadal's record but also underscores the young player's talent and confidence on the global tennis stage.
