Moïse Kouame exits US Open qualifying in first round

Moïse Kouame’s US Open campaign is over before the main draw after the 17-year-old Frenchman lost in the first qualifying round. The result halts his attempt to build on a promising run at the Challenger in Cancun, where he had won twice, including a victory over the player then ranked 59th in the world.

Kouame was beaten by American Nishesh Basavareddy, the ATP No. 163, in a match that lasted two hours and 40 minutes. The opening set remained level after both players dropped serve once. Kouame had a set point while Basavareddy served at 4-5, but the American forced a tiebreak and took it 7-3 after 70 minutes. Kouame recovered to claim the second set 6-4 and send the contest to a decider.

The deciding set turned on Kouame’s service issues. He produced 12 aces during the match, but also committed 10 double faults. Basavareddy needed only one break opportunity in the final set and converted it to move 4-2 ahead before completing a 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3 victory. Kouame had won more than 80 per cent of the points behind his first serve in the second set, but could not maintain that advantage in the closing stages. His defeat means he will not join the US Open main-draw field, while Basavareddy advances to the second qualifying round.