Competing in the first professional final, usually at Futures, is a great milestone for every player. The taste of success becomes even stronger when you achieve that before any other player from your generation. France's Moise Kouame did that this week!
ADVERTISEMENT
Three days after his 16th birthday, the young gun played in his first Futures final inSharm El Sheikh. Thus, Moise became the first player born in 2009 to achieve that. Not only that, but he notched his first professional final two months younger than Carlos Alcaraz!
The Spaniard played his first title match on the pro level in July 2019 at 16 years and two months. While Alcaraz lifted a trophy on the first try, Kouame will have to wait for another opportunity after losing steam on the last obstacle.
The young Frenchman reached the quarter-final at the same event a week ago. He went further this time and earned four victories. Moise played his last match as the 15-year-old against Aleksandre Bakshi in the first round. The young gun led 5-1 when his rival retired.
The birthday boy had to work much harder in the second round against Toby Martin. A teenager prevailed 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 in three hours and three minutes. The Briton led 6-2, 4-2 before the Frenchman bounced back and extended the duel.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kouame broke back in game eight and clinched the tie break to force a decider. They traded breaks in games seven and eight and repeated that at 5-5 to introduce a deciding tie break. Moise clinched it 7-3 to move into the quarter-final.
The young gun gathered a boost and performed at his best in the next duel. He dismantledPijus Vaitiekunas 6-2, 6-1 in an hour and 21 minutes for his first professional semi-final. Kouame served well and faced no break points.
Battling for his first professional final, the 16-year-old ousted Saba Purtseladze 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 28 minutes to write history books for his generation. The hero of our story served well in the opener and clinched it with an early break in game two.
Moise denied a break point at 2-3 in the second set and defended two set points in game ten. He grabbed a break at 5-5, saved a break chance in the next one and converted the third match point to seal the deal and remain on the title course.
ADVERTISEMENT
World no. 403Robert Strombachs stood between the young gun and his first professional title. The more experienced player earned a 6-3, 6-2 win in an hour and 17 minutes, handing Kouame the runner-up prize.
The Frenchman created two break points and wasted them. He played against six break points and suffered three breaks, two in the second set. Moise suffered a break in the fourth game of the opener and fell behind. He saved two set points in game eight before Robert wrapped up the opener 6-3.
The better-ranked player served well in the second set and kept the pressure on a teenager. He broke Kouame in games one and three and sealed the deal with a hold at 5-2.
