Boisson Stuns Andreeva to Continue Historic Run
Lois Boisson’s improbable dream run at the 2025 French Open rolled on Wednesday as the world No. 361 pulled off another massive upset, defeating sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva in straight sets, 7-6 (6), 6-3. With a thunderous home crowd behind her, the 22-year-old Frenchwoman collapsed onto the clay of Court Suzanne-Lenglen, overcome with emotion after securing her place in the semifinals.
Her rise is nothing short of historic. Boisson is now the lowest-ranked woman in 40 years to reach a Grand Slam semifinal and only the third woman since 1980 to reach this stage in her first major appearance—joining the ranks of Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati. She’s also the first Frenchwoman to reach the Roland Garros semis since Marion Bartoli in 2011 and the first wild card to do so in the Open Era.
Boisson’s magical run has seen her defeat two top-10 opponents, an achievement unmatched by anyone ranked outside the top 300 since Serena Williams did it back in 1997. With her latest victory, she’s projected to leap to world No. 68 when the new rankings are released.
A Comeback Fueled by the Crowd
Andreeva, widely considered one of the game’s rising stars, took early control of the match. The Russian led 3-1 and 5-3 in the first set, but Boisson, cheered on by an electrified Parisian crowd chanting “Allez, Lois!”, clawed her way back to force a tiebreak. There, she edged out the more experienced Andreeva in a tightly contested battle.
The second set seemed to slip away as Andreeva opened with a 3-0 lead, but Boisson surged again, rattling off six consecutive games to seal the match. Her blend of resilience and composure under pressure turned the tide, a pattern that’s defined her run through the tournament.
“It’s incredible. Thank you for supporting me like this—I have no words,” Boisson said during her on-court interview. “I was so tense early on, running too much. But I fought hard, and I’m so proud I was able to finish it.”
Coco Gauff Awaits in Semifinals
Boisson’s next challenge is a towering one: world No. 2 Coco Gauff. The 21-year-old American had to fight her own battle earlier in the day, defeating compatriot Madison Keys in a tense three-setter, 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1. The win ended Keys’ 11-match Grand Slam winning streak and propelled Gauff back into the French Open semifinals, a place she last reached in 2022 when she was runner-up.
Gauff struggled early on, narrowly losing the first set in a tiebreak. However, she made key adjustments midway through the second set—focusing on aggressive, deep returns—to regain control. Once she found her rhythm, Gauff proved too strong for Keys, dominating the third set to close out the win.
“She was playing really well, especially with her forehand—it’s probably one of the best on tour,” Gauff said. “I just tried to stay in every point and run everything down. I knew I had to punish any short balls, and that was the difference.”
A Clash of Opposites on the Horizon
The semifinal matchup between Boisson and Gauff promises to be a compelling contest between two very different narratives. Gauff, already a major champion in doubles and a top contender in singles, will face a wild card ranked outside the top 300 just weeks ago. Yet if this tournament has proven anything, it’s that Boisson can’t be counted out.
For now, French fans are savoring the fairy tale. A local player, an underdog, and a moment of magic at Roland Garros—Boisson’s run has breathed fresh life into the tournament and captivated tennis fans around the world.