French Open 2026: Parisian Teenager Moise Kouame Stuns With Third Round Success

Paris - The sun-drenched Court Suzanne-Lenglen buzzed with excitement on Thursday as 17-year-old French teenager Moise Kouame stunned the crowd by advancing to the third round of the French Open. Kouame outgunned his Paraguayan opponent Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in a fierce five-set battle, winning 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, and a decisive tiebreaker 7-6 (8).

This was no easy feat for Kouame, who had been down 5-3 in the deciding set and managed to claw back with poise. His final winning shot—a drop shot—went to plan as only his opponent could reach it but failed to put away the ball.

Moise's Emotional Pledge: A Heartfelt Thank You

Kouame celebrated an emotional victory, lying back on his heels and then jumping up with both hands raised in disbelief. He pointed towards all sides of the crowd as a token of gratitude before collapsing into his chair, towel over head, to savor the moment.

The young star thanked the cheering Roland Garros spectators profusely, acknowledging their unwavering support. When asked about his mental fortitude in such adversity, Kouame credited the crowd: 'Thank you because without you, I never would've won this match. My belief never wavered thanks to your constant encouragement.'

Kouame's journey was not only a personal triumph but heralded as a significant milestone for French tennis prospects. His earlier victory over Marin Cilic on Tuesday made him the first player born in 2008 or later to secure an outright win at a Grand Slam tournament.

With his sights set next on Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, Kouame remains optimistic: 'This win is for you. Thank you for believing in me. Being under pressure never fazes me anymore; it just spurs me forward.