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New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Boisson joins select group of surprise Grand Slam semi-finalists
PARIS: France's 361st-ranked Lois Boisson on Wednesday became the first wildcard to reach the women's semi-finals at Roland Garros. Here, AFP Sport looks at women's players who overcame the odds to reach the last four and challenge for a Grand Slam title: Elina Svitolina returned in March 2023 after maternity leave following the birth of her daughter. The Ukrainian was not ranked high enough to make the Wimbledon main draw and was given a wildcard. She reached the semi-finals after eliminating world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals. Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the eventual champion, ended her run in straight sets. Before Svitolina, Germany's Sabine Lisicki (2011 Wimbledon), Belgium's Justine Henin (2010 Australian Open), Kim Clijsters (2009 US Open), and China's Zheng Jie (2008 Wimbledon) also reached Grand Slam semi-finals as wildcards. Arriving at Roland Garros in 1989 to compete in her first Grand Slam aged 15, Seles reached the semi-finals, where she lost in three sets to world number one Steffi Graf. The young Yugoslav – who became a US citizen in 1994 – won in Paris the following year, gaining revenge on the German, defeating American Jennifer Capriati en route. Like Seles in 1989 and Boisson this year, Capriati also reached the semi-finals in her first major at Roland Garros in 1990. They are the only three players to have achieved such a feat in a Grand Slam tournament since 1980. At the 2021 US Open, 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu became the first player in history to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier. Ranked 150th in the world on her arrival in New York, Raducanu won the title against another surprise package, Canadian Leylah Fernandez – then ranked 73rd – without dropping a single set in 10 matches. In the past decade, two other players have come through the qualifying rounds to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam – Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska at the 2024 Australian Open and Argentina's Nadia Podoroska at the 2020 French Open. In 2022, Italian Martina Trevisan arrived at Roland Garros brimming with confidence. A week before the tournament, the world number 59 won her first and only title at the WTA 250 event in Rabat. Thanks to the early eliminations of Tunisian Ons Jabeur, then world number six, and 12th-ranked Raducanu, the 28-year-old from Tuscany enjoyed a draw clear of top seeds until the quarter-finals, where she eliminated world number 18 Fernandez. The next step was too steep with American Coco Gauff sweeping her aside 6-3, 6-1. In what was already her fifth appearance at Roland Garros, Pierce reached the semi-finals on the Parisian red clay at the age of 19 in 1994. After defeating world number one Graf, Pierce reached the final, where she lost to Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. Amelie Mauresmo was also 19 when she reached the semi-finals of the 1999 Australian Open – she lost in the final to Martina Hingis – and Brigitte Simon was 21 when she reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 1978. At 22, Boisson is the fourth-youngest Frenchwoman to book her ticket to the semi-finals of a Slam event.
France 24
17 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Boisson joins select group of surprise Grand Slam semi-finalists
Here, AFP Sport looks at women's players who overcame the odds to reach the last four and challenge for a Grand Slam title: Elina Svitolina, mother of comebacks Elina Svitolina returned in March 2023 after maternity leave following the birth of her daughter. The Ukrainian was not ranked high enough to make the Wimbledon main draw and was given a wildcard. She reached the semi-finals after eliminating world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals. Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the eventual champion, ended her run in straight sets. Before Svitolina, Germany's Sabine Lisicki (2011 Wimbledon), Belgium's Justine Henin (2010 Australian Open), Kim Clijsters (2009 US Open), and China's Zheng Jie (2008 Wimbledon) also reached Grand Slam semi-finals as wildcards. Monica Seles, a precocious talent Arriving at Roland Garros in 1989 to compete in her first Grand Slam aged 15, Seles reached the semi-finals, where she lost in three sets to world number one Steffi Graf. The young Yugoslav -- who became a US citizen in 1994 -- won in Paris the following year, gaining revenge on the German, defeating American Jennifer Capriati en route. Like Seles in 1989 and Boisson this year, Capriati also reached the semi-finals in her first major at Roland Garros in 1990. They are the only three players to have achieved such a feat in a Grand Slam tournament since 1980. Emma Raducanu, qualifier to champion At the 2021 US Open, 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu became the first player in history to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier. Ranked 150th in the world on her arrival in New York, Raducanu won the title against another surprise package, Canadian Leylah Fernandez -- then ranked 73rd -- without dropping a single set in 10 matches. In the past decade, two other players have come through the qualifying rounds to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam -- Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska at the 2024 Australian Open and Argentina's Nadia Podoroska at the 2020 French Open. Martina Trevisan, last surprise Paris semi-finalist In 2022, Italian Martina Trevisan arrived at Roland Garros brimming with confidence. A week before the tournament, the world number 59 won her first and only title at the WTA 250 event in Rabat. Thanks to the early eliminations of Tunisian Ons Jabeur, then world number six, and 12th-ranked Raducanu, the 28-year-old from Tuscany enjoyed a draw clear of top seeds until the quarter-finals, where she eliminated world number 18 Fernandez. The next step was too steep with American Coco Gauff sweeping her aside 6-3, 6-1. Mary Pierce, youngest French woman In what was already her fifth appearance at Roland Garros, Pierce reached the semi-finals on the Parisian red clay at the age of 19 in 1994. After defeating world number one Graf, Pierce reached the final, where she lost to Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. Amelie Mauresmo was also 19 when she reached the semi-finals of the 1999 Australian Open -- she lost in the final to Martina Hingis -- and Brigitte Simon was 21 when she reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 1978. At 22, Boisson is the fourth-youngest Frenchwoman to book her ticket to the semi-finals of a Slam event.
France 24
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Swiatek faces Sabalenka in blockbuster French Open semi-final
Home heroine Lois Boisson takes on world number two Coco Gauff in the other women's last-four clash on Court Philippe Chatrier. Here, AFP Sport takes a look at the day's two semi-finals (x denotes seeding): Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x1) v Iga Swiatek (POL x5) The biggest rivalry in the current women's game will get its first instalment since last August in Cincinnati when the reigning champion goes up against the top seed. Swiatek holds an 8-4 winning record against Sabalenka, but came into the tournament under a cloud after a disappointing clay-court season and without even a final appearance since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen 12 months ago. But the Pole is on a remarkable 26-match winning streak in the French Open and could become the first woman to win four straight titles at Roland Garros since Suzanne Lenglen 102 years ago. "I don't know if she elevates my game," she said of Sabalenka. "But for sure our rivalry is pushing both of us, I think, but it's not only about the level of tennis. It's about like everything, how we work, and how professional we are." The pair practised together in the build-up to the tournament, and Sabalenka credits their improving relationship off-court to a dance video they did for TikTok at last year's WTA Finals. Sabalenka has only beaten Swiatek once on clay, in the 2023 Madrid Open final. Their most memorable clash was the 2024 final in the Spanish capital when Swiatek saved three championship points and won in a deciding-set tie-break. "We've had a lot of great battles in the past," Sabalenka said after her quarter-final win over Zheng Qinwen. "I'm super excited to go out there and to fight and to do everything I need to get the win." Sabalenka has powered through the draw so far without dropping a set. Swiatek has also been in dominant form, with the exception a battling comeback victory over Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, a performance she said she "needed". Coco Gauff (USA x2) v Lois Boisson (FRA) French world number 361 Boisson is still dreaming of a fairytale title triumph on her Grand Slam debut after a memorable quarter-final triumph over rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva. The 22-year-old Boisson missed out on making her first Roland Garros appearance last year after suffering a knee injury the week before the tournament, but has more than made up for lost time with a stunning run through the draw. She had never played a top-50 opponent before this week, but has now beaten two in the top 10 in third-ranked Jessica Pegula and world number six Andreeva to set up her last-four clash with Gauff. "I think every kid who plays tennis has the dream to win a Slam. More for French players to win Roland Garros, for sure," said Boisson. "So, yeah, it's a dream. For sure I will go for the dream, because my dream is to win it, not to be in the semi-final." Andreeva was overwhelmed by the atmosphere on Court Philippe Chatrier as she lost the last six games of her quarter-final against Boisson. But Gauff has a plan to try and block out the noise from the partisan home crowd. "I think there are two ways I have done it in the past. Either, A: just pretend they're cheering for you, and B: just using it and not letting that get to you," she said after defeating Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the last eight.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Swiatek faces Sabalenka in blockbuster French Open semi-final
Iga Swiatek puts her bid for a fourth successive French Open title on the line against world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a place in the final at stake on Thursday. Home heroine Lois Boisson takes on world number two Coco Gauff in the other women's last-four clash on Court Philippe Chatrier. Here, AFP Sport takes a look at the day's two semi-finals : The biggest rivalry in the current women's game will get its first instalment since last August in Cincinnati when the reigning champion goes up against the top seed. Swiatek holds an 8-4 winning record against Sabalenka, but came into the tournament under a cloud after a disappointing clay-court season and without even a final appearance since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen 12 months ago. But the Pole is on a remarkable 26-match winning streak in the French Open and could become the first woman to win four straight titles at Roland Garros since Suzanne Lenglen 102 years ago. "I don't know if she elevates my game," she said of Sabalenka. "But for sure our rivalry is pushing both of us, I think, but it's not only about the level of tennis. It's about like everything, how we work, and how professional we are." The pair practised together in the build-up to the tournament, and Sabalenka credits their improving relationship off-court to a dance video they did for TikTok at last year's WTA Finals. Sabalenka has only beaten Swiatek once on clay, in the 2023 Madrid Open final. Their most memorable clash was the 2024 final in the Spanish capital when Swiatek saved three championship points and won in a deciding-set tie-break. "We've had a lot of great battles in the past," Sabalenka said after her quarter-final win over Zheng Qinwen. "I'm super excited to go out there and to fight and to do everything I need to get the win." Sabalenka has powered through the draw so far without dropping a set. Swiatek has also been in dominant form, with the exception a battling comeback victory over Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, a performance she said she "needed". French world number 361 Boisson is still dreaming of a fairytale title triumph on her Grand Slam debut after a memorable quarter-final triumph over rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva. The 22-year-old Boisson missed out on making her first Roland Garros appearance last year after suffering a knee injury the week before the tournament, but has more than made up for lost time with a stunning run through the draw. She had never played a top-50 opponent before this week, but has now beaten two in the top 10 in third-ranked Jessica Pegula and world number six Andreeva to set up her last-four clash with Gauff. "I think every kid who plays tennis has the dream to win a Slam. More for French players to win Roland Garros, for sure," said Boisson. "So, yeah, it's a dream. For sure I will go for the dream, because my dream is to win it, not to be in the semi-final." Andreeva was overwhelmed by the atmosphere on Court Philippe Chatrier as she lost the last six games of her quarter-final against Boisson. But Gauff has a plan to try and block out the noise from the partisan home crowd. "I think there are two ways I have done it in the past. Either, A: just pretend they're cheering for you, and B: just using it and not letting that get to you," she said after defeating Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the last eight. jc/nf
France 24
a day ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Kohli does it at last, teenage star wows: five IPL storylines
AFP Sport highlights five talking points from the 18th edition of the tournament: Kohli finally champion Two-time World Cup winner Kohli had done it all in an incredible career but an IPL crown eluded the batting great until Tuesday. He cried, laughed and then lifted the glittering gold trophy for his first IPL title -- in his 18th year in the league and with the number 18 on his back. Kohli top-scored with 43 in his team's 190-9 and the crowd of 91,000 erupted when victory was secured. Affectionately called "King Kohli", he was again a key player for Bengaluru this season with 657 runs, including eight half-centuries, in 15 innings. An emotional Kohli, 36, said he gave his "youth and prime" for this moment. Iyer leads by example Shreyas Iyer led from the front to help Punjab Kings end the league stage top of the 10-team table and then played a major role in getting them to their second IPL final. The top-order batsman fully justified the faith of his team and head coach Ricky Ponting, who broke the bank for him at auction with a bid of $3.17 million. Iyer amassed 604 runs, playing key knocks including a sensational 87 not out in the win over Mumbai Indians to make the final. Iyer missed out on a Test spot for India's tour of England but Ponting was all praise for his captain. "He has grown as a person, as a player and a leader," said the Australian. Teen makes world headlines Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi catapulted himself into the world cricket spotlight by belting his first ball fearlessly for six on his IPL debut. The youngest player ever to grace the IPL made headlines with 34 off 20 balls against Lucknow Super Giants, but it was just a taste of what was to come. Nine days later, Suryavanshi smashed the Gujarat Titans bowlers to all parts as he scored the second fastest hundred in tournament history. The teenager brought up his century off 35 balls with 11 sixes and seven fours to stand behind only West Indies great Chris Gayle, who took 30 balls to make a ton in 2013. The staggering power-hitting of left-hander Suryavanshi, who cost $130,500 as a 13-year-old at November's auction, enabled Rajasthan to chase down their 210 target with more than four overs to spare. He rounded off a remarkable debut season with 57 against Chennai Super Kings in his final outing. Record buy Pant flops Lucknow splashed a record $3.21 million to secure Rishabh Pant as captain, but the India wicketkeeper-batsman appeared to buckle under the weight of his price tag. The usually swashbuckling ball striker failed to fire or inspire as Lucknow were eliminated from the playoff race with two matches to play. He belatedly found his touch in Lucknow's final match, scoring 118 off 61 balls in another losing cause against Bengaluru. The knock raised his season average to an ordinary 24.45 from an abject 13.72 going into the match, and barely disguised his poor value for money after a return of 269 runs from 13 innings. War stops play The IPL was suspended on May 9, a day after the Punjab Kings-Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was abandoned while nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire across their border. Players left the field and crowds were hurried out of the ground as air raid warnings sounded in the city less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Jammu, where explosions had been reported hours earlier. Players and officials had to board a train to escape to New Delhi because local airspace had been closed. A ceasefire allowed a resumption on May 17, but Australia and Delhi's Mitchell Starc, who had been caught up in the Dharamsala drama, decided not to return. © 2025 AFP
