At Roland Garros, 17-year-old French wildcard Moise Kouame produced the standout result of the day by beating former champion Marin Cilic in straight sets, 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-2. The win made Kouame the youngest man to win a match at the tournament since 1991 and confirmed him as one of the event’s biggest early stories. Kouame stayed composed under pressure, used drop shots effectively, and grew more dominant as the match progressed. He later said the crowd helped him remain focused in the key moments and that he was looking forward to his second-round challenge.
Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev suffered a shocking first-round defeat to Australian wildcard Adam Walton in a five-set marathon, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. Medvedev twice recovered after losing sets badly, but after clawing back momentum and leading by a break in the deciding set, he collapsed again as Walton held his nerve. The result was one of the most surprising of the tournament so far and raised fresh questions about Medvedev’s consistency and direction at 30, as he continues to search for the best version of his game.
There was also an impressive victory for Maria Sakkari, who upset 12th seed Linda Noskova 7-5, 7-6(3). Sakkari had to work hard throughout a tight contest and showed resilience in the second set, where she edged the tiebreak to seal the win. Her performance underlined how difficult the opening draw can be for seeded players, particularly against younger opponents with high expectations.
Naomi Osaka also advanced, holding a 1-0 lead in her match against Laura Siegemund during the update. Osaka’s presence continued to draw attention, with her return to top-level form still a major talking point. While her progress has not been entirely smooth since her 2024 comeback, she remains capable of beating anyone when playing at her best.
The day also featured other notable developments across the men’s and women’s draws. Stefanos Tsitsipas moved ahead against local player Alexandre Muller before Muller retired while trailing 6-3, 3-0. Cameron Norrie’s first-round match against Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo began on Court 13, while several other matches reached important stages, including Sakkari’s battle and a number of tight men’s contests.
The early action highlighted a blend of youth, experience, and unpredictability, with Kouame’s breakthrough win providing the most memorable moment. His performance suggested the arrival of a genuine new talent, while Medvedev’s defeat served as a reminder of how unstable the top level can be in Grand Slam tennis.
