The Frenchman, playing in a “Grand Slam” tournament for the first time in his career, survived a 4 hour and 56 minute tennis marathon in the second round, defeating Paraguayan representative Daniel Adolfo Vallejo (ATP-71) with a score of 6:3, 7:5, 3:6, 2:6, 7:6(8).
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The 17-year-old tennis player immediately entered the record books after this victory – becoming the youngest since the legendary Rafael Nadal (2003 Wimbledon) to reach the third round of a “Grand Slam” tournament.
Moreover, M. Kouame is now the fifth youngest in the “Open Era” to reach the third round of Roland Garros. Michael Chang, Kent Carlsson, John Alexander, and Bjorn Borg achieved this at just 16 years old.
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Alongside the French prodigy in the third round are tennis stars from Spain and Brazil, Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca – this is the first time since 2006 that three teenagers have advanced this far in a “Grand Slam” tournament. That year, it was R. Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Gael Monfils.
M. Kouame, who will rise more than 100 places in the ATP rankings, will face Chilean tennis player Alejandro Tabilo (ATP-36) in the next round.
