He had already made history reaching the final. At 17 years and 240 days, he became the third-youngest French player to reach a Challenger final, behind Richard Gasquet and Fabrice Santoro. On Sunday, he turned his first final into his first title.
The next challenge comes in 48 hours. Kwame, who learned on Friday that he had been entered into the colossal mark Rolex Paris Mastersopens against the 13th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Tuesday. If he wins, he will face either Denis Shapovalov or Karen Khachanov in the second round, with fourth seed Daniil Medvedev possibly waiting in the third.
Kouame’s comeback in the deciding set
In the third set, it looked like the final was slipping away from him. Kouame was broken 2-2 by the American left-hander in the fifth, whose serve gave him problems all afternoon. Down 6-5, he was down 30-30 on his own serve after losing two points.
He held, forced a tiebreak and won 7-4 to seal a final that had already gone to a tiebreak in the second set, which Dam won 7-5.
It capped off a week that began with a win over Hugo Grenier and made it into the second round against the top seed and defending champion. Hugo Gastonwho retired ill trailing 7-5, 2-1. Kouame then beat Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-4 before needing just under an hour to clear the sixth seed. Otto Virtanen2024 Brest champion, 6-1, 6-2 semifinal. He closed that match with an ace. Damm, on the other hand, took 2 hours 45 minutes to beat second seed Dino Prismich.
Four finals, four titles for Kouame
Brest was Kouame’s fourth final on the pro circuit and his fourth title after the M25 in Hazebruck, the M15 in Bressoir and the M25 in Pula earlier this year.
His new ranking of 132nd at 17 years 240 days is also comparable to the greats. At the same age, Carlos Alcaraz’s best ranking was 136th, Novak Djokovic’s 184th and Yannick Sinner’s 311th. Roger Federer reached 123rd and Rafael Nadal – 41st.
Brest, where it all began for Kouame
Kouame first came to public attention at Roland Garros in the spring when he advanced to the third round. Earlier this month in Lyon he saved every break point he faced to defeat Lorenzo Sonego But Brest is where he earned his first ATP ranking points two years ago and where he now holds his first Challenger title.
At the trophy ceremony, he thanked the French crowd that had carried him all week and the organizers with whom he shared Skyjo games at the tournament offices.
Dam’s family had its own history in Brest. His father, also named Martin Damm, last lost in the city in 1999, against someone at Penfeld. Roger Federer.
The 11th edition of the Brest Open Groupe Vert was the first under the tournament director Arno di Pascual. No. 2 doubles seed Gonzalo Escobar and Nikki Kalianda Punacha won the title on Saturday with a 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 10-7 victory over top seeds Sriram Balaji and Evan King.
Brest 2026 final
- Moise Kwame d. Martin Damm (5) 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4)
Kouame’s path to the title
- First stage: d. Hugo Grenier
- Second stage: d. Hugo Gaston (1) 7-5, 2-1 back.
- Quarter finals: d. Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-4
- Semi-final: d. Otto Virtanen (6) 6-1, 6-2
- Final: d. Martin Damm (5) 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4)
Dam’s path to the final
- First stage: d. Sacha Gaimard Weyenburg
- Second stage: d. Hugo Blanchett (Q) 6-4, 7-6 (4)
- Quarter finals: d. Clement Tabor 7-6, 7-6
- Semi-final: d. Dino Prizmich (2) 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-5
