Lois Boisson stuns sixth seed Mirra Andreeva to reach French Open semifinals
World number 361 Lois Boisson is daring to dream of an improbable triumph after she stormed into the French Open semifinals to continue her magnificent run at the clay-court major.
The 22-year-old Frenchwoman, competing in the main draw of a major for the first time, beat Russian prodigy and sixth seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.
Boisson had defeated world number three Jessica Pegula in the previous round.
A wildcard at Roland-Garros, Boisson was hovering around the 150th place on the WTA rankings when she sustained a serious knee injury a year ago.
Now that she is fit, she has her eyes firmly fixed on the biggest prize.
"For sure, every tennis player dreams of winning a [major] and for a French player, Roland-Garros, even more so," Boisson said.
"I'll go for it because my dream is to win the final, not the semifinal."
The daughter of a former professional basketball player, Boisson has lit up the clay courts in Paris with her gutsy performances and calm demeanour under pressure.
"When I started tennis, I was very nervous, very emotional on court," Boisson, who faces world number two Coco Gauff in the semifinals.
"It was hurting me too much. I realised I wouldn't go far if I stayed like that. I learned to control it."
Boisson appreciated the support from the French crowd, with chants and the national anthem La Marseillaise ringing around Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"At the warm-up, when they played La Marseillaise, I wasn't expecting it," Boisson said.
"It gave me goosebumps. Having the public behind me like this. It's a real boost."
Gauff advanced via a 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-1 triumph over fellow American and Australian Open champion, Madison Keys.
Men's world number one Jannik Sinner geared up for his quarterfinal by hitting with Boisson.
Sinner continued his bid for the Roland-Garros title with an efficient 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 win over Kazakh Alexander Bublik shortly after Boisson's upset win over Andreeva.
The duo began their day by practising under the closed roof of the main show court.
"The level she (Boisson) produces is amazing," Sinner told reporters.
"Very consistent, clay-court style with the forehand and a lot of top-spin.
"Today it was raining, so I called the desk if there were some free spots, because I don't want to risk to go on court without warming up. So we arrived quite early.
"She straightaway said yes and we hit some balls.
"Physically she's very strong. She deserves to be in the position where she is right now, and we wish her all the best for the future."
Boisson will at least break into the world's top 70 next week.
"It's amazing, no? I think that's exactly what France needs, something very new, very special, great mentality," Sinner said.
"She's someone who is quite calm on the court, at least she seems like it."
Sinner will play the winner of the quarterfinal between Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic in the last four.
Reuters
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