Lois Boisson could hardly believe she was in the semifinals of the French Open. © ANSA / MOHAMMED BADRA

This French woman is a sensation

As she wrote the next chapter of her Parisian tennis fairytale, Lois Boisson flopped back and put her hands over her face. The Frenchwoman apparently could hardly believe her triumph – and it is truly unique.

June 04, 2025

From: cst/dpa

As the first wildcard player in French Open history, 22-year-old Boisson reached the semifinals of the clay-court classic, transforming Court Philippe-Chatrier into a madhouse. Boisson, ranked number 361 in the world, defeated Russian Mirra Andrejeva 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in the quarterfinals, continuing her epic winning streak.

"It's simply unbelievable," said Boisson after her coup against the world number six. "If someone had told me this two weeks ago, I wouldn't have believed it." She is the first Frenchwoman to reach a Paris semifinal since Marion Bartoli 14 years ago.

Coco Gauff also won her quarterfinal on Wednesday. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

There, Boisson will face world number two Coco Gauff this Thursday. The American defeated fellow countrywoman Madison Keys 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals. World number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland will face off in the other semifinal.

Funny incident involving Boisson

Before the French Open, Boisson was known only to insiders. The Frenchwoman was supposed to make her Grand Slam debut in the French capital last year with a wildcard. But then Boisson tore her cruciate ligament and was forced to take a nine-month break. At one point, retirement was even on the cards.

Mirra Andrejeva (l.) congratulates the Frenchwoman on her victory. © APA/afp / ALAIN JOCARD

She made headlines for the first time in mid-April – involuntarily. Britain's Harriet Dart complained at the clay court tournament in Rouen, France, that Drink smells bad. Boisson took the incident with humor. She subsequently posted a photo on Instagram of herself on the square with a well-known brand of deodorant embedded in the image, tagging the company and writing, "Apparently need a collaboration."