World number 361 Boisson stuns third seed Pegula

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

With a stunning victory in the fourth round against third-seeded Jessica Pegula, world number 361 Lois Boisson delivered the biggest surprise of the French Open this year.

The Frenchwoman triumphed 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 against the US Open runner-up, who was given a wildcard into the main draw after torn her knee last year.

Boisson is making her Grand Slam debut, having previously played a player who is ranked among the top 50 in the world.

The 22-year-old served the match for five to six and won it with a thumping forehand winner after serving for it at five to six in the third set.

Boisson sang “Lois” while Boisson was sung! from the enthralling Court Philippe Chatrier crowd as the moment passed.

“I’m not sure what to say,” she said. She said, “Playing on this court, with this atmosphere, was amazing.”

“I gave it all up, and I ultimately prevailed,” the statement says. I’m hoping to “win it all”!

For Boisson, things were radically different a year ago.

Boisson won her home Grand Slam after a strong run of performances on the third rung of the women’s tennis tour.

However, Boisson tore her left knee ACL a week before the clay-court competition began. She missed nine months of the season because she couldn’t bring herself to watch the French Open last year.

Boisson received neurovisual training to speed up her recovery, including using virtual reality headsets and sight tests to monitor her reactions.

At the April Rouen Open against Harriet Dart, the Briton apologized to the umpire for telling her opponent to use deodorant. She made her WTA Tour return.

Later, Boisson made light of the situation by sharing a modified version of her holding some deodorant with Dove, which she claimed “apparently needs a collab.”

Boisson defeated 24th seed Elise Mertens in her opening match and overcame a second-set “bagel” to defeat compatriot Elsa Jacquemot in the third round, using the wildcard that injury denied her last year.

On Boisson’s right elbow, the word “resilience” is tattooed to remind her that her perseverance is worth it, and that victory over Pegula provides conclusive evidence of this.

A superb backhand winner in the second set gave the Frenchwoman a crucial break after being outplayed and overawed in the first set.

Boisson and Pegula broke up quickly in the third half before returning with a quick break.

Pegula, however, blinked once more at 4-4. Boisson won the match by combining deft touch with devastating power to save break points.

As she won, she roared a cheer as her arms were raised above the court to soak in the atmosphere.

Boisson is the lowest-ranked player to reach the fourth round of the French Open since Serena Williams, who was then world number 451 when she took a break in 2018 to reclaim her position.