The French Open has delivered another stunning upset.
Jessica Pegula, the World No.3 crashed out in the fourth round of French Open following a three-set defeat to world No.361 Lois Boisson on Monday.
Boisson, who only got into the tournament courtesy of a wild card, entered Monday as France’s sole remaining singles representative in both the men’s and women’s draws.
After dropping the first set, she stormed to a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory and a meeting with Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.
Boisson, who is ranked 358 places below the American and is playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, delighted a raucous crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier by bouncing back to win in thrilling circumstances.
The match took 2 hours and 40 minutes and after an excruciating end to the game, with Boisson saving multiple break points, she finally served out the set and the historic win.
The last time a Frenchwoman made it into the quarterfinals in Paris was 2017, when both Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic made the last eight.
Boisson has also become the lowest ranked woman to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam since Kaia Kanepi reached the 2017 US Open quarterfinals ranked No. 418 – and the lowest at the French Open in 40 years, per Opta Ace.
Pegula, the daughter of Terry Pegula who owns NFL team the Buffalo Bills and has a net worth of over $7 billion, struggled to match Boisson’s energy in the third set.
Boisson will now continue her bid to become the first Frenchwoman since Mary Pierce to win the title – Pierce beating Conchita Martinez in straight sets to win the title in 2000.
“I’m not sure what to say. Playing on this court, with this atmosphere, was amazing,” Boisson said.
“I gave my all and in the end I won, which is just incredible. I hope I’m going to win it all!”
