Aleksandar Kovacevic stops Moise Kouame’s breakthrough bid in Montpellier | ATP tour | Tennis

Montpellier

Kovacevic stops the breakthrough bid of 16-year-old Kouame in Montpellier

American then seeks revenge on Droguet, who defeated him last week
February 4, 2026

Eighth seed Aleksandar Kovacevic spoiled 16-year-old Moise Kouame’s hopes at the Occitanie Open on Wednesday, as the French teenager aimed for his first tour-level victory. Kovacevic, a finalist in Montpellier last year, rallied for 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2 after one hour and 54 minutes.

Kovacevic won 82 percent of his first service points (41/50), according to Infosys ATP Stats, and only faced a break point in his final service game of the match, which he erased before putting the finishing touches on his fourth tour-level win of 2026.

“He beat me in the first set,” Kovacevic said of Kouame. “I didn’t feel super comfortable the first game of the week. Then I got a bit out of place and I think he dropped his level a little bit. It’s difficult to play against a player like that. I’ve never really seen him play, but I’m definitely impressed.”

Kouame was attempting to become the seventh man this century to win a tour-level match before his 17th birthday. The teenager came through qualifying to become the youngest man to qualify for an ATP Tour event since Rudolf Molleker in 2017.

The American will next face another French qualifier, Titouan Droguet, who defeated Kovacevic 7-6(4), 7-6(8) at the Quimper Challenger last week.