The French Open has delivered one of its most captivating stories in recent memory, as wildcard entrant Loïs Boisson continued her astonishing run by defeating sixth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (6), 6-3 to reach the semi-finals. The 22-year-old Frenchwoman, ranked 361 in the world and playing in her first-ever Grand Slam, has stunned the tennis world with her fairytale journey on the red clay of Roland Garros.
From the moment the players stepped onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the atmosphere was electric. The 15,000-strong French crowd erupted into La Marseillaise, passionately backing their home player. They were rewarded with a performance full of grit, flair, and heart.
Boisson’s rise is nothing short of extraordinary. Before this tournament, she had never beaten a player ranked inside the top 90 or faced anyone in the top 50. Her only previous win at tour level came just two months ago in Rouen. Now, she has become the lowest-ranked player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final in 40 years and only the third woman since 1989 to achieve that feat on her major debut, following in the footsteps of Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati.
What makes her story even more remarkable is the adversity she overcame just a year ago. Granted a wildcard for the 2024 French Open, her dreams were dashed when she tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a warm-up tournament days before the event. After six grueling months of rehabilitation, she returned to competition and was again handed a wildcard. This time, she seized the opportunity with both hands.
Boisson has already knocked out several formidable opponents, including a thrilling three-set win over third seed Jessica Pegula in the fourth round. Her quarter-final opponent, Andreeva, was considered one of the brightest young stars in the sport and a genuine contender for the title. Early in the match, the 18-year-old Russian used her tactical intelligence and clean hitting to dominate, racing to a 5-3 lead and earning a set point.
But Boisson showed remarkable poise and resilience. Her powerful topspin forehand, athleticism, and clever drop shots began to turn the tide. Backed by the roaring crowd, she clawed her way into the match, saving the set point and winning the tiebreak 8-6. From there, the momentum swung firmly in her favor.
As Andreeva’s game began to unravel under the pressure — her serve faltering and her composure slipping — Boisson grew stronger. She displayed maturity beyond her years, closing out the match with confidence and composure.
Reflecting on her win, Boisson rejected the idea that her run was a miracle. She credited her success to years of dedication and the hard work she put into her rehabilitation. “I have a little bit of luck also, but I think it’s just the hard work that I put since I started playing tennis and also last year with my rehab and everything,” she said. “It’s just the result of hard work. Nothing else.”
With her incredible run, Boisson has now become the French No 1. But she’s not satisfied yet. “My dream is to win it, not to be in the semi-final,” she said. “So I will try to do my best for it.”
Next, she will face second seed Coco Gauff, who came from behind to beat Madison Keys in a tough three-set battle. Boisson’s dream lives on, and with the home crowd behind her, anything seems possible.
