Wildcard Lois Boisson shocks Mira Andreeva to make French Open semifinals

The 22-year-old stunned the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier with a fearless and resilient performance, coming back from a break down in both sets and saving a set point in the first to seal a straight-sets victory over the highly favoured Russian teenager.

Boisson trailed 0-3 in the second set but surged back with six consecutive games, completing one of the most improbable runs of the tournament. She is the first women's singles wildcard in Open Era history to reach the French Open semi-finals, and the youngest Frenchwoman to reach a major semi-final since Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon in 1999.

"It was unbelievable," Boisson said in her on-court interview. "It's hard to find the words. The energy today, the crowd. I've never felt anything like it. Last year was tough, but I came back because of my team, my support. This is for all of us."

Boisson missed the 2024 French Open after suffering a torn ACL just a week before the tournament. Ranked number 361 at the start of this year's event, her run to the final four is projected to lift her 296 places to number 65 in the WTA rankings - the largest single-tournament rise since Emma Raducanu's 2021 US Open triumph.

Known more for her athleticism and fight than outright power, Boisson used her court coverage and shot selection to frustrate Andreeva, who had been tipped as a title contender.

Boisson will now face world number two Coco Gauff in Thursday's semi-final. Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, is seeking her second Grand Slam title, but Boisson's current form and home support may provide another twist in a tournament already full of surprises.

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