Montpellier R1 previews and predictions: Medjedovic vs. Wawrinka, Kovacevic vs. Kouame

First-round competition in Montpellier concludes on Wednesday, when Stan Wawrinka goes up against Hamad Medjedovic. Aleksandar Kovacevic, the runner-up 12 months ago, faces qualifier Moise Kouame.

Hamad Medjedovic vs. (WC) Stan Wawrinka

It is a rough draw all around at the Open Occitanie for Medjedovic and Wawrinka. Two of the best unseeded players in the field, they have to go head-to-head in round one on Wednesday and the winner will run into top seed and defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Wawrinka is coming off a strong swansong at the Australian Open, where he reached the third round before losing to Taylor Fritz. Even with plenty of time off, the 40-year-old Swiss could be feeling the effects of 13 difficult sets of tennis. Medjedovic, who lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round Down Under, has already won 40 indoor hard-court matches in his young career. That includes a NextGen ATP Finals triumph in 2023. The 22-year-old Serb may have the upper hand in this one, especially if it turns into a tough three-setter.

Pick: Medjedovic in 3

(Q) Moise Kouame vs. (8) Aleksandar Kovacevic

Kovacevic was awesome last year in Montpellier, where he qualified for the main draw and eventually upset Andrey Rublev in the semis before losing an epic 6-2, 6-7(7), 7-6(2) final against Auger-Aliassime. The 83rd-ranked American has been up and down so far in 2026, with a semifinal showing in Brisbane followed by a 1-3 record in his last three tournaments — including one Challenger.

Up first for Kovacevic on Wednesday is Kouame, who qualified for his maiden ATP main-draw appearance thanks to victories over Elias Ymer and Clement Chidekh. The 16-year-old Frenchman is on fire to begin the season, with a 12-0 overall record that features back-to-back Futures titles (both on indoor hard courts). All of the pressure is on Kovacevic with finalist points to defend and facing an opponent 11 years his junior. Still, his experience should make the difference against a player who has never been on this kind of stage.

Pick: Kovacevic in 3