Seventeen-year-old Moise Kouame produced a composed, high-energy performance to beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-1 and record his first victory at a major. The Paris-area native celebrated the first-set tiebreak with a finger-behind-the-ear gesture that referenced his tennis idol, Novak Djokovic, and asked the home crowd for support.

Kouame, coached by Richard Gasquet, turned two near-defeats into momentum swings late in the opening set. Serving at 4-5 and down 15-40, he twice slid to his forehand side to retrieve seemingly lost points and forced errors, then saved the next set point with a calm, aggressive backhand down the line. He later produced a backhand winner at a decisive moment in the tiebreak and closed out the match in straight sets.

Those sliding retrievals and fearless backhand strikes drew direct comparisons to Djokovic’s defensive poise. The win made Kouame the youngest man to win a round at a Slam since 2009, the year he was born. At 6’3, with notable foot speed and racquet-head speed, he was described in the match report as a promising addition to a new crop of ATP contenders that includes Rafael Jodar, Alexander Blockx, and Martin Landaluce.

Off court, Kouame presents a steady temperament uncommon for his age. He calls himself a “really chill guy” and said he enjoys F1 and music. When asked about emulating Djokovic’s ear celebration, he offered a candid demonstration: “When I’m alone and no one’s there, when I do a good thing, I’m like this,” he said with a laugh.

Kouame also did not shy from opinion. “French rap is the best, let me say it,” he declared. Asked how he kept his composure on a big stage, he summed up his approach succinctly. “Training,” he said. “I was well-prepared, the tactics were good. I had my team, and the crowd behind me.”

Daniil Medvedev arrived at Roland Garros with recent clay results that suggested he could trouble the top players, yet Paris again halted his progress. After a semifinal showing at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia this month, where he pushed Jannik Sinner to three sets, Medvedev suffered a five-set defeat to Adam Walton and recorded his seventh opening-round exit in 10 main-draw appearances at the French Open.

The loss felt particularly perplexing: Medvedev led 4-2 in the final set, held multiple break points two games later and served for the match, only to lose the final four games. The defeat also represented his fourth Grand Slam opening-round exit in his last six majors.

When asked for an explanation in his post-match press conference, Medvedev refused to offer one. “I don’t want to find excuses,” he said. “I know why I don’t really play always my best in Roland Garros, but if I say it, it’s excuses. So, I keep it to myself.”

Despite the Paris setback, the former No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion insisted that his capacity to perform on the biggest stages has not vanished. “I do think it can come back any moment, meaning at Wimbledon, for example,” teased Medvedev, who reached back-to-back semifinals at SW19 in 2023 and 2024. “But again, if we talk in general about all four Grand Slams, I think if we compared all four Grand Slams to five years ago, the game is different in these Grand Slams, and I don’t think it suits me well. So, it’s very tough for me to get the rhythm going.

“First round is the toughest one, and once I get through it, maybe I can do better.”

Medvedev’s clay swing showed moments of promise, but Roland Garros remains a recurring stumbling block. He will head into the remainder of the season aware of both his recent clay form and the persistent difficulty he faces in Paris.

At 22, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo arrives in the Roland Garros main draw for the first time, a rapid ascent from not even being in qualifying a year ago to direct entry this season. Widely known as “Dani,” the Asunción native has compiled most of his recent success on clay, winning four of his five ATP Challenger Tour titles since last October.

He opens the tournament against No. 20 seed Cameron Norrie on Tuesday, a tough first assignment after a strong run of results that included reaching the third round in Madrid as a qualifier in April, where he defeated Grigor Dimitrov and Learner Tien.

VALLEJO: I’m very excited. I have a first round that’s tough and it’s gonna be a battle. I’m well prepared. I had a good last week, where I made the final in the Valenica Challenger. So I’m with a lot of confidence, getting good sessions with practice. I’m ready.

Vallejo said consistent match play has been the key to his climb, a point he reiterated in conversation about his game and mindset.

VALLEJO: I’m competing really well, all the matches. That’s the most important, always, to compete every match. I think I’m doing my best in that. I’m really solid from the baseline right now. Winning a lot matches gives you confidence. I’m happy with that.

On-court preparation has included hitting with Juan Manuel and his brother Francisco, and an upcoming practice with Sinner.

VALLEJO: I practice with Juan Manuel and then his brother Francisco. On Sunday, I play with Sinner. I’m so excited. I’m just enjoying all the days.

He also recalled a previous session with that top player in Madrid.

VALLEJO: I worked him out in Madrid. And he won, so hopefully he gives me the good luck.

Vallejo is conscious of the history Paraguay has at this event and the expectations that come with representing his country.

VALLEJO: Yes, Paraguay has a good history in Roland Garros. Victor Pecci made the final and semifinals. Ramon Delgado beat Pete Sampras. Hopefully I can do something similar within the years.

He summed up how he views himself and his roots.

VALLEJO: I’m very South American! I think that’s the best thing to know about me. Paraguay is what you think about with South Americans. Very linked to the family, the food, similar to Spain here in Europe.