French Open 2025: Moise Kouame, 17, storms into third round with five-set win
Synopsis
A 17-year-old Frenchman just did something no man has done at a Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal in 2003. Moise Kouame's five-set thriller at Roland Garros — his first major — has produced a teenage milestone not seen in nearly two decades, with three teenagers in the third round for the first time since Nadal, Djokovic, and Monfils in 2006.
Key Takeaways
Moise Kouame , aged 17 , reached the French Open third round on 28 May 2025 — the youngest man to do so at a major since Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2003 .
Kouame defeated Adolfo Daniel Vallejo (World No.
71) 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(8) in 4 hours 56 minutes .
He hit 67 winners and converted 6 of 13 break points, per Infosys Stats .
Kouame, Jodar , and Fonseca form the first trio of teenagers in a major's third round since Nadal, Djokovic, and Monfils in 2006 .
Kouame has risen 108 places to No.
210 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings .
He faces Alejandro Tabilo in the third round.
Moise Kouame wrote a remarkable chapter in French Open history on 28 May, becoming the youngest man to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003. The 17-year-old Frenchman defeated Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(8) in a breathless four-hour, 56-minute battle on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to advance to the third round at Roland Garros.
A Historic Milestone at Roland Garros
Kouame's victory over World No. 71 Vallejo marked his third tour-level win — all against Top-100 opponents — in what is his first Grand Slam main draw appearance. Playing in front of a vociferous home crowd, the teenager displayed a dazzling mix of athleticism, disguised shotmaking, and exceptional court coverage that had Paris on its feet.
Notably, Kouame joined Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca — both aged 19 — in becoming part of the first trio of teenagers to reach the third round of a major since 2006, when Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Gael Monfils achieved the same feat at that year's tournament.
How the Match Unfolded
Kouame raced into a two-set lead, showcasing a disguised forehand flick and relentless defence during several lung-busting rallies in the opening set. Vallejo, competing in his first Grand Slam main draw, fought back tenaciously, taking the third and fourth sets and surging to a 5-2 lead in the decider.
At that point, the Paraguayan was a single game away from becoming the first man from his country to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ramon Delgado at the 2002 US Open. But Kouame, buoyed by the roaring Parisian crowd, clawed back to win the tiebreak 8-6 and seal a memorable victory. He hit 67 winners and converted six of 13 break points, according to Infosys Stats.
Kouame's Rise Through the Draw
The teenager had already announced himself in the first round with a victory over 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic. His second-round performance against Vallejo only reinforced his growing stature on the ATP circuit. With the run, Kouame has climbed 108 places in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, moving up to No. 210 in the world.
What Kouame Said
'Winning Roland Garros is, of course, a dream,' Kouame said with a smile after the match. 'Being World No. 1 is also a dream... I think thinking about winning the tournament is a bit early, but I'm really happy to be in the third round, and I'm going to try my best to win another match.'
What's Next
Kouame will face Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. With the crowd firmly behind him and his confidence visibly growing, the Frenchman's run at his home Grand Slam is one of the most compelling storylines of this year's clay-court major. Whether he can extend his fairytale will be answered soon enough.
Point of View
When the generation of Nadal, Djokovic, and Monfils was just breaking through, suggests a genuine changing of the guard may be closer than the rankings imply. What is striking about Kouame specifically is that all three of his tour wins have come against Top-100 opponents — this is not a wildcard benefiting from a soft draw. The Vallejo match, where he recovered from 5-2 down in the fifth, shows a mental composure that most teenagers at this level do not yet possess. The question is not whether Kouame has talent — it is whether the French Tennis Federation can manage his ascent without the burnout that has derailed so many prodigies before him.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Moise Kouame and why is he making headlines at the French Open 2025?
Moise Kouame is a 17-year-old French tennis player who has reached the third round of the French Open 2025 in his first Grand Slam main draw appearance. He became the youngest man to achieve this at a major since Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003.
How did Kouame beat Vallejo in the second round?
Kouame defeated Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(8) in a match lasting four hours and 56 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. He recovered from 5-2 down in the fifth set, hitting 67 winners and converting six of 13 break points.
What historic milestone did the teenagers achieve at Roland Garros 2025?
Kouame, Rafael Jodar, and Joao Fonseca became the first trio of teenagers to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since 2006, when Nadal, Djokovic, and Monfils achieved the feat. It is a milestone that underlines a generational shift in men's tennis.
Who does Moise Kouame face in the French Open third round?
Kouame will face Alejandro Tabilo in the third round at Roland Garros 2025. He enters the match having risen 108 places to World No. 210 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
What did Kouame say about his chances of winning Roland Garros?
Kouame acknowledged that dreaming of winning Roland Garros is natural but said it was 'a bit early' to think about the title. He said he was 'really happy to be in the third round' and would try his best to win another match.
