Teenager Kouame beats Vallejo at French Open to match 23-year Nadal record

Friday, 29 May 2026 03:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Moise Kouame

France’s Moise Kouame has become the youngest man since Rafael Nadal in 2003 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam with a stunning match tie-break victory against Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.

Kouame became the youngest Grand Slam match winner in 17 years when, at age 17, he beat former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the first round.

Kouame’s 6-3 7-5 6-3 6-2 6-6 (10-8) defeat of Vallejo came in front of a partisan Parisian home support at Roland Garros, who cheered the local boy to the very last point as he defied Vallejo’s charge.

The 22-year-old was ranked 71st in the world – compared with Kouame’s 318 listing.