Aleksandar Kovacevic halts Moise Kouame’s breakthrough bid in Montpellier ATP Tour
montpellier
Kovacevic blocks 16-year-old Kouame’s breakthrough bid for Montpellier
American next seeks revenge on Droghe, who defeated him last week
February 4, 2026
Presse Sports / Jean-Baptiste Otissier
Defending finalist Alexander Kovacevic defeated Moise Kouame in Montpellier on Wednesday.
Written by ATP Staff
Eighth seed Aleksandar Kovacevic dashed the hopes of 16-year-old Moise Kouame at the Open Occitanie on Wednesday as the French teenager aimed for his first tour-level victory. Kovacevic, last year’s Montpellier finalist, won 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2 after one hour and 54 minutes.
According to Infosys ATP Statistics, Kovacevic won 82% (41/50) of his first serves and did not face a break point until the final service game of the match, which he erased before adding the finishing touches to his fourth Tour-level victory in 2026.
“He beat me in the first set,” Kovacevic said of Kouame. “The first game of the week I didn’t feel comfortable. Then I got used to it a little bit and I think his level dropped a little bit. It’s hard to play against a guy like that, I’ve never really seen him play, but I was definitely impressed.”
Kouame hopes to become the seventh player this century to win a tour-level match before his 17th birthday. The teenager advanced through qualifying and became the youngest player to qualify for an ATP Tour event since Rudolf Molek in 2017.
The American will next face another French qualifier, Titouan Droguet, who defeated Kovacevic 7-6(4), 7-6(8) at the Quimper Challenge last week.
