
French Open 2025: World No 361 Lois Boisson becomes first Frenchwoman to reach last four since 2011
Lois Boisson celebrates after beating Mirra Andreeva to reach the French Open semifinals (Image via AP/Christophe Ena)
The Times of India at Roland Garros:
The roof on Philippe Chatrier was closed, the stadium was packed to its near 15,000-capacity. The fans were loud, chanting 'Lois, Lois, Lois' like it were a prayer, lifting Lois Boisson when she trailed, helping her stay the course and finally pushing her over the finish line after a little over two-hours.
The crowd was always going to be a factor in this French Open last-eight clash.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Mirra Andreeva, 18, the sixth-seed, was up against the world No. 361 Boisson and a full house that refused to settle down, not even between serves. They whistled, they booed, they cheered, most of the time it was over-thetop. The Russian led in both sets, 3-1 and 5-3 in the first, and even had two set points.
IPL 2025 Final | Rishi Sunak Interview: 'I am a big Virat Kohli fan... RCB is my team'
In the second set she jumped to a 3-0 lead, but struggled with the boisterous crowd that came alive to her every error.
Poll
Who do you think will win the semifinal match between Lois Boisson and Coco Gauff?
Lois Boisson
Coco Gauff
That Andreeva may have played herself out of the tournament is only part of the story, the other half is the inspiring run of the wildcard entrant Boisson. The 22-year-old fought back, showcasing her whiplash fore - hand, slamming 11 winners of that flank, as she reeled off six straight games to clinch a memorable 7-6 (6), 6-2 win.
'I love to play with the crowd. I love to hear my name when I win a point. For me it's a plus, not pressure.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
복부비만 원인 "오래되고 딱딱한 묵은 지방" 간단히 녹이는 방법
남재현 체지방 다이어트
더 알아보기
Undo
It's also really difficult for players from other countries,' Boisson said. 'I ex - pected it,' Andreeva said of the behaviour of the home fans. 'The first set I managed it pretty well. I didn't really pay attention to that, but obviously with nerves and with pressure, it became a little harder.'
'Daring, Dynamic, Different': Ponting hails PBKS young guns despite final loss
Boisson, who played in the qualifying draw here in 2021, 2022 and 2023, debuted in the main draw this year and became the first French semifinalist at Roland Garros since Marion Bartoli in 2011. She's also the first wild card to do it in the Open era. Her win over An - dreeva is her second top-10 win, she clocked the first against the world No.3 Jessica Peg - ula in the fourth-round. Boisson underlined that her charge here was the result of the hard work she has put in over the years.
'My dream is to win it, not to be in the semifinal,' Boisson said. In the semifinals on Thursday, she plays American Coco Gauff, the world No.2, who beat compatriot Madison Keys 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
36 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Bengaluru stampede: Two more FIRs against RCB franchise, KSCA and event organisers
The Cubbon Park police have registered two more FIRs against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, event management firm DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), following complaints by two persons who were injured in the stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team's victory celebrations. The police have charged the accused for endangering the lives and safety of others under Section 125(a) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, on Thursday. One of the complainants, Rolan Gomes, a 25-year-old designer at a private firm from R.R. Nagar, was caught in the stampede and sustained a fracture. According to the complainant, he and two of his friends went to the stadium on Wednesday after they came across an announcement by the RCB franchise on its official social media handle about the victory parade. The post further mentioned free passes being offered at gate 7. Thousands of people had gathered at the gates when they reached the venue, and the police opened a gate that was too narrow. Due to the heavy rush, he lost control and fell and was trampled. Many people fell unconscious in the rush. Mr. Gomes's right shoulder was dislocated. He was rushed to a private hospital by a few people there, the complaint said. The complaint further stated that the RCB franchise, DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., and KSCA management created confusion by announcing the programme and free passes, leading to the chaos. There was no arrangement or facilities, and hence, legal action should be taken against them. The third complaint in connection with the incident was lodged by C. Venu, 21, a final year student, stating there were no facilities and arrangements, which led to the stampede, and urging legal action against the RCB franchise, the event organisers, and the KSCA administrative committee. Mr. Venu, a resident of Vijinapura, had come to the stadium after reading the post about free tickets and tried to enter through gate 6. Due to the heavy rush and commotion, he fell, the barricade broke in the melee, and fell on his right leg, he stated in the complaint. His friends who had accompanied him rescued him and took him to Bowring Hospital, where he is being treated.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
1 Player, 3 Finals, 3 Defeats: This Player Lost His Third IPL Final
Last Updated: Punjab Kings fell 6 runs short against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2025 final, marking Yuzvendra Chahal's third loss in an IPL final For a game as unpredictable as cricket, the margins between triumph and heartbreak often rest on moments and, sometimes, on fate itself. The IPL 2025 final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, was yet another painful reminder of that uncertainty, especially for Punjab Kings and one of their key players, Yuzvendra Chahal. Punjab Kings, chasing 191, fell short by just 6 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore, ending their hopes of becoming the IPL 2025 winner. It was a deja vu moment for fans, not just because Punjab once again failed to lift the trophy after an 11-year wait, but because of a curious pattern now trailing their leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal. The June 3 final marked the third time Chahal featured in an IPL title clash, and the third time his side walked away empty-handed. It all began in 2016, when Chahal turned up in RCB colours under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. Despite a promising campaign, RCB fell short in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Fast forward to 2022, donning the Rajasthan Royals jersey, Chahal again found himself on the losing side, as the team succumbed to Gujarat Titans. Now, in 2025, with Punjab Kings hoping to rewrite their history books, Chahal had one more chance to break the pattern. But once more, the script ended in familiar heartbreak. Despite his contributions and experience, the leg-spinner has now played in three IPL finals, and lost all of them. While some may call it coincidence, fans and commentators can't help but take note of the strange streak. It's not that Chahal hasn't tasted IPL glory. He was part of the Mumbai Indians squad that clinched the title in 2013. But that year, he played just one match in the tournament and was not part of the final. This recurring misfortune is something no player can prepare for. Chahal's impact on the field has been undeniable throughout the IPL's history. With over 200 wickets, his legacy as one of the league's finest spinners is well-established. But the elusive dream of being on the winning side in a final he plays remains unfulfilled. As RCB lifted their first-ever IPL trophy, it wasn't just Punjab who felt the sting of missed opportunity. For Chahal, it was a third time staring at the podium, from the losing side.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'Time will tell with repercussions': Mitchell Starc issues first statement after pulling out of IPL 2025 midway
Mitchell Starc explained why he didn't return to the IPL 2025 after its resumption. Starc said due to safety concerns after Operation Sindoor, he decided not to go back. The Australian pacer added that he remains committed to Delhi Capitals and is ready to face the repercussions. read more London: Mitchell Starc is still 'heavily committed' to his Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals but only 'time will tell the repercussions' after he decided not to return after the resumption of the tournament unlike some of his other Australian colleagues. Starc decided against returning to India when IPL resumed on May 17 following a 10-day break after country's armed forces executed Operation Sindoor, a military operation in response to Pakistan-backed terrorists killing 26 civilians in Pahalgam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Starc, who was a vital cog in the Capitals' bowling line-up, took 14 wickets in 11 matches, featured in the contest against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on May 8 when lights abruptly went off in the stadium and the game was abandoned. Starc's wife and Australia Women's captain Alyssa Healy was also attending the game when the game was stopped and the stadium was urgently evacuated due to Dharamsala's proximity with the international border. The 35-year-old Starc said he had his doubts heading into that IPL game between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings given the tensions. 'I'm comfortable with my decision and how I felt about the whole situation and how it was handled,' Starc was quoted as saying by The Age. 'That's why I made my decision post-that, and my focus changed to red-ball cricket for about a week prior to coming over here (the UK).' 'Time will tell with repercussions or how it looks with guys that didn't return. But I've had my questions and concerns leading into that game, and obviously we saw what happened, which played a part in my decision,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Starc said for the same reasons he had decided not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy with the Australian team earlier this year. 'There was a little bit of that to my decision around the Champions Trophy (in Pakistan) and then once the tournament (IPL) was delayed, you start to think about guys' preparation for the Test match,' he said, referring to Australia's World Test Championship final against South Africa to be played at Lord's from June 11. Starc said things were 'handled differently for different players and different teams' in Dharamsala. Both the teams along with broadcast crew had returned to Delhi from Pathankot in a special train. 'Things were handled differently for different players and different teams, the guys up in Dharamsala, the Punjab guys were part of that, and while both teams had similar experiences up there, all those guys returned for Punjab, and Jake (Fraser-McGurk) and I chose not to,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It was a very individual decision, and I'm happy to live with whatever comes of that." 'I'm still heavily committed to the Delhi group, and I'm not someone that's gone into tournaments and pulled out after being picked up in an auction or whatever that looks like. These are different circumstances,' Starc said. Starc, who won the IPL last year with Kolkata Knight Riders, said having lack of information was also among the reasons he chose not to go back to India. 'It was more a question of not having enough information leading into making a decision (about) things of that degree. I had a discussion back home then came to a decision, and whatever comes from that I'm comfortable with that and we move forward,' he said. 'We will stick to the way we've been playing' Starc said irrespective of the talk about the WTC final against South Africa, Australia will look to play the brand of cricket they've been playing. 'We'll stay true to how we've been playing our cricket, the way we've been playing to get into this final, the way we've been playing it the previous two years to get to that final (in 2023),' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We'll have our tactical meetings and whatnot, but ultimately this team has shown over a period of time that we'll stick to the way we play our cricket.' Starc added, 'Close followers of the team would have a different opinion to South Africa about how we're going to play this week.'