Wildcard Boisson Shocks Pegula in French Open Stunner

French Open 2025 – Roland Garros

Dates: 25 May–8 June

Venue: Court Philippe Chatrier

Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and BBC Sport website & app

World number 361 Lois Boisson delivered the shock of the 2025 French Open by stunning third seed Jessica Pegula in a thrilling 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

The 22-year-old French wildcard had never faced a top-50 opponent before this tournament and was making her Grand Slam main draw debut. A year ago, she had torn her ACL and missed nine months of the season.

But in front of a roaring home crowd, Boisson showed nerves of steel — saving four break points at 5-4 in the final set — and closed out the match with a forehand winner that brought Philippe Chatrier to its feet.

“I don’t know what to say,” said an emotional Boisson. “The atmosphere, this court, the fans — it was amazing. I gave it everything and I won. I hope I can go all the way!”

She now faces sixth seed Mirra Andreeva for a place in the semi-finals.

From Injury Heartbreak to Paris Breakthrough

A year ago, Boisson couldn’t even watch the French Open after tearing her ACL days before the tournament. To aid her comeback, she turned to neurovisual training, including VR reaction drills and buzzer reflex tests to sharpen her instincts.

Her return came in April at the Rouen Open against Harriet Dart — a match that made headlines for an unusual deodorant-related incident. Boisson later poked fun at it on social media, asking Dove for a sponsorship.

That light-hearted moment contrasts sharply with her fierce determination on court. With a tattoo reading “resilience” on her right elbow, Boisson has embodied the very meaning of the word in Paris.

She beat 24th seed Elise Mertens in the first round and recovered from a second-set bagel to edge past fellow Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot in round three.

Historic Numbers, Historic Moment

Boisson is now:

• The lowest-ranked player to reach the French Open quarter-finals since Serena Williams in 2018 (then ranked 451).

• The lowest-ranked Grand Slam quarter-finalist since world no. 418 Kaia Kanepi at the 2017 US Open.

After a shaky start against Pegula, Boisson found her rhythm with a brilliant backhand break in the second set and served out with composure.

In the final set, she broke early, lost the advantage, then broke again at 4-4 before serving out with a mix of touch and raw power.

As she sealed match point, Boisson dropped her racket, raised her arms, and soaked in the deafening chants of “Lois!” — a Paris moment to remember.