World No 361 Lois Boisson caused one of the biggest upsets at the 2023 French Open by defeating Mirra Andreeva to reach the semi-finals on her Roland-Garros debut. The 22-year-old French player continued her stunning run, beating the sixth-seeded American 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 on Wednesday at Court Philippe-Chatrier, setting up a much-anticipated semi-final showdown against Coco Gauff.

Boisson’s remarkable journey had already captured attention after she ousted top American Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter-finals. Her upset of Andreeva not only confirmed her status as the tournament’s most surprising performer but also cemented her place in French tennis history.

From obscurity to national hero: A French wildcard’s fairy-tale run

Before this year’s French Open, Boisson was relatively unknown beyond a minor incident where British player Harriet Dart publicly criticized her personal hygiene during a match. However, Boisson’s performance on the clay courts has more than redeemed her reputation. By defeating Andreeva, she became the first Frenchwoman to reach the Roland-Garros semi-finals since Marion Bartoli in 2011 and the first wildcard to do so in the Open Era.

Her rise is all the more remarkable given her ranking plummeted to 361 before the tournament and the serious knee injury she suffered last year that forced her out of competition for nine months. She was unsure if she would even receive a wildcard entry due to her low ranking. Now, she is guaranteed to jump at least 300 places in the rankings, securing a spot inside the world’s top 61.

Boisson’s entry into the semi-finals also marks a rare feat in Grand Slam history. She is only the third player to reach this stage at their first Grand Slam main-draw appearance since 1980, joining Monica Seles (1989) and Jennifer Capriati (1990), both of whom accomplished the feat at the French Open.

Emotion and resilience defined Boisson’s memorable victory

After her tense win, Boisson dropped to the clay with her hands covering her eyes, overwhelmed by the moment as the passionate French crowd cheered her on. She responded to the applause by cupping her ear to the enthusiastic spectators, who packed the historic Court Philippe-Chatrier.

“Its incredible. Thank you for supporting me like this. I have no words,”

Boisson said to the euphoric home crowd.

She admitted that nerves affected her early in the match but praised her own determination in overcoming adversity.

“I ran a bit too much because I was so tense early on,”

she revealed.

“But I fought hard in that first set, which was so intense. At the start of the second, I felt a little empty, but I hung in there and finished the job.”

The match was emotionally draining for Andreeva, who held two set points in the opening set but lost composure completely in the second. Andreeva told the crowd to shut up, was penalized for smashing a ball into the stands, broke down in tears, and even saw her mother Raisa leave the player’s box amid the turmoil.

Boisson’s resilience was on full display as she saved two set points after trailing 3-1 and 5-3 in the first set, edging the tight tie-break. She then capitalized on Andreeva’s collapse from a 3-0 lead in the second set by winning six consecutive games to close out the match.

Coco Gauff battles past Madison Keys to set up semi-final duel

Lois Boisson’s next opponent, Coco Gauff, survived her toughest challenge yet by coming from behind against fellow American Madison Keys to secure her place in the semi-finals. Gauff won 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-1 in a match marked by 101 unforced errors and 14 service breaks.

The world No 2 showed grit and perseverance against a powerful opponent, rallying after dropping the first set in a close tie-break. Keys opened the second set strongly, leading 4-1, but Gauff managed to fight back to force a decider.

“Maddie was playing well, she’s hitting the ball so fast and so low so I was just trying to fight for each point,”

Gauff said after the match, reflecting on the challenge.

The 21-year-old continued,

“It means a lot, getting through this tough match. I’m very happy to get through and be in the semi-finals again. I’ll savour this one today and be ready for tomorrow’s match.”

Despite a nervous start marked by nine double faults, Gauff found her rhythm in the final set and capitalized on Keys’ diminishing confidence to win in just over two hours. Her victory extends her strong form at Roland-Garros, continuing the momentum from her runner-up finish last year.

A historic semi-final clash looms at Roland-Garros

The upcoming match between Boisson and Gauff promises to be a thrilling showcase of emerging French talent against an established global star. Boisson’s fairy-tale run has captivated the French crowd and added a new layer of excitement to the tournament, while Gauff seeks to maintain her status as one of the WTA Tour’s brightest stars.

This Coco Gauff French Open semi-final showdown marks a clash of determination and skill, with Boisson carrying the hopes of the home crowd and Gauff aiming to reach her second consecutive Grand Slam final. The winner will advance to the championship match, shaping the final chapter of this intense and unpredictable tournament.