France’s Kouame becomes 17th Grand Slam champion | Tennis news

At the age of 17, Moise Kouame became the most successful Grand Slam player at the French Open, beating Marin Cilic.

French teenager Moise Kouame made his Grand Slam debut in style, beating former US Open champion Marin Cilic 7-6 (4) 6-2 6-1 at the French Open to become the last man to win a major match in 17 years.

Given a sign by the organisers, the 17-year-old Frenchman looked fearless on Court Simonne Mathieu in the first round on Tuesday as he made his Grand Slam debut against the 20-year-old senior and former world number three.

Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and a Roland Garros semifinalist in 2022, arrived in Paris ranked 46th in the world but was outplayed by the fearless youngster, whose speed on defense and difficult shots drew repeated applause from the crowd.

Ranked 318th, Kouame opened up a solid advantage after saving two sets before taking control of the match.

“It was not easy. I always try to stay here and not think too much about what I have achieved. Today I managed to do well,” Kouame said in court.

Kouame did not allow a break throughout the tournament as he sealed victory in straight sets.

At 17 years and two months, Kouame became the last player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Australia’s Bernard Tomic reached the second round of the 2009 Australian Open at the age of 16.

He is also the youngest player to advance to Roland Garros since Romania’s Dinu Pescariu did so in 1991 at the age of 17 years and one month.

“It’s very touching, it’s special,” Kouame said. “Coming into this competition, I didn’t know what to expect.

The youngster, coached by former French player Richard Gasquet, won only his second tour after winning his first at the Miami Masters in March.

He will next face Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay, who advanced after number 20 Cameron Norrie was injured.

Kouame’s success has skyrocketed this season.

The Frenchman has won three ITF titles – the third most in professional tennis – and received several wild cards at the majors, including the Miami and Monte-Carlo Masters.

“What I got in Miami and Monte-Carlo probably helped me a little bit,” Kouame told reporters. “Technically, I felt calm. I knew I was ready and I felt good mentally and physically.”