The first round of the Open Occitanie in Montpellier is heating up as two intriguing matchups are set for Wednesday. Stan Wawrinka, the veteran Swiss player, is set to face Hamad Medjedovic, a promising young talent from Serbia. Also in action is Aleksandar Kovacevic, who was the runner-up in last year’s tournament, taking on the 16-year-old qualifier Moise Kouame.
The encounter between Wawrinka and Medjedovic represents a tough draw for both players, particularly since they are among the strongest unseeded competitors in the tournament. The winner of their match will advance to face the top seed and defending champion, Felix Auger-Aliassime. Wawrinka, who recently reached the third round of the Australian Open, may be feeling the strain of his recent matches, but his experience at 40 years old could be pivotal. In contrast, Medjedovic boasts a successful track record with 40 indoor hard-court wins already to his name, including a title at the NextGen ATP Finals in 2023. Analysts suggest that Medjedovic might hold the advantage, particularly if the match extends to three sets.
On another exciting front, Kovacevic will be looking to make a strong start against fellow newcomer Kouame. Kovacevic had a remarkable run last year in Montpellier, including a memorable semifinal victory over Andrey Rublev before ultimately losing to Auger-Aliassime in the final. Despite having a shaky start in 2026, with a semi-final appearance in Brisbane yet followed by losses, he will look to bring his experience to the court against the young Kouame, who has started the season with an impressive 12-0 record and two championship wins at the Futures level. Although Kovacevic has the challenge of defending vital finalist points, his seasoned gameplay is expected to prevail over Kouame, who is encountering this level of competition for the first time.
As both matches unfold, the excitement builds for fans eagerly awaiting these thrilling showdowns in Montpellier.