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France's Kouame, 17, youngest man into Slam third round since Nadal / Photo: © AFP
France's Kouame, 17, youngest man into Slam third round since Nadal
Home hope Moise Kouame became the youngest man to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament since Rafael Nadal 23 years ago, after an epic French Open win on Thursday.
The 17-year-old wildcard survived a comeback from Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo to claim a remarkable 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8) win after four hours and 56 minutes on a raucous, and boiling hot, Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Kouame is the youngest man to reach the last 32 of a major since Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003.
"Frankly, without you, I would never have won this match, never," Kouame told the crowd in his on-court interview.
After wins for Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca on Wednesday, it is the first time three teenagers have made the third round of the men's singles at Roland Garros since Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils in 2006.
Kouame had already become the youngest man to win a Slam match in 17 years with his first-round success against Marin Cilic.
The Grand Slam debutant powered into a two-set lead to the delight of the French fans but then started to wilt in the baking heat.
But Kouame somehow dragged himself back from the brink of defeat when Vallejo was serving for the match at 5-3 in the fifth, before completing a memorable win in a thrilling tie-break.
N. Lebedew--BTZ
