The 17-year-old overcame a tense finish to beat Martin Damm and claim his first professional trophy, under the watchful eye of his coach Richard Gasquet.
The Challenger circuit has a new promising face. This Sunday, November 1, young Frenchman Moïse Kouame, aged just seventeen, claimed his first professional title by winning the final of the Brest tournament. Opposing him was American Martin Damm, ranked 105th by the International Tennis Federation. While Damm possessed superior hitting power, the protégé of Richard Gasquet displayed remarkable determination to prevail.
The match was particularly intense, unfolding over three tight sets. Kouame initially took the lead by winning the first set 6-4, confirming a strong start in this high-pressure contest. The second set proved more indecisive, concluding in a tie-break won by the American 7-5, giving Damm the advantage of sets and raising the tension for the decider.
The decisive moment came in the third set, following a crucial new tie-break that separated the two finalists 7-4 in favor of the young Breton. The final score of the match stands at 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4). This victory illustrates Kouame’s ability to manage critical moments, a rare asset for a player of his young age already competing at the highest level of the development circuit.
Richard Gasquet, an iconic figure in French tennis who chose to re-center his career on coaching, expressed his satisfaction with the performance displayed by his player. For the former world number 4, this result testifies to the courage required to succeed in this type of competition. He highlights the constant progress of his protégé, who is steadily forging his path despite his youth.
This triumph in Brest marks a significant milestone in Moïse Kouame’s career. By overcoming an experienced and higher-ranked opponent, he confirms himself as one of the rising young talents in the tennis hierarchy. His journey, marked by this capital victory, allows him to capitalize on this favorable momentum ahead of the rest of the season.
The match was particularly intense, unfolding over three tight sets. Kouame initially took the lead by winning the first set 6-4, confirming a strong start in this high-pressure contest. The second set proved more indecisive, concluding in a tie-break won by the American 7-5, giving Damm the advantage of sets and raising the tension for the decider.
The decisive moment came in the third set, following a crucial new tie-break that separated the two finalists 7-4 in favor of the young Breton. The final score of the match stands at 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4). This victory illustrates Kouame’s ability to manage critical moments, a rare asset for a player of his young age already competing at the highest level of the development circuit.
Richard Gasquet, an iconic figure in French tennis who chose to re-center his career on coaching, expressed his satisfaction with the performance displayed by his player. For the former world number 4, this result testifies to the courage required to succeed in this type of competition. He highlights the constant progress of his protégé, who is steadily forging his path despite his youth.
This triumph in Brest marks a significant milestone in Moïse Kouame’s career. By overcoming an experienced and higher-ranked opponent, he confirms himself as one of the rising young talents in the tennis hierarchy. His journey, marked by this capital victory, allows him to capitalize on this favorable momentum ahead of the rest of the season.
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Source: Ouest-France