The 2025 French Open witnessed a seismic upset as Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3, fell to the unranked French wildcard Lois Boisson. This stunning victory not only propelled Boisson into the quarterfinals but also marked an incredible jump in the rankings for the young Frenchwoman, while simultaneously denying Pegula a chance to improve her own standing.
A French Open Shocker
In a thrilling fourth-round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Lois Boisson, ranked a lowly 361st in the world, stunned Jessica Pegula with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. This marked Boisson’s first-ever Grand Slam main draw appearance, making her achievement all the more remarkable. The 22-year-old played with passion and determination, fueled by the energy of the home crowd.
“I don’t know what to say, but thank you. Playing on this court in such a great atmosphere, it was incredible,” Boisson said after the match. “I knew I could do it, but I knew she was super strong, but after a while I realised it was a proper contest.”
Boisson’s Meteoric Rise
Boisson’s victory over Pegula is one of the most significant upsets in recent French Open history. She became the lowest-ranked player to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Kaia Kanepi at the 2017 US Open, who was ranked 418th. Boisson is also the lowest-ranked woman to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros since at least 1985.
Her remarkable run in Paris is set to catapult her up the WTA rankings. Before the tournament, Boisson was ranked No. 361. With the 360 ranking points she earned by reaching the quarter-finals, she is expected to jump to around No. 120 in the world. This jump will open doors to bigger tournaments and significantly change her career trajectory.
Pegula’s Missed Opportunity
For Jessica Pegula, the loss was a bitter disappointment. As the world No. 3 and a US Open finalist in 2024, she was a strong contender to make a deep run at the French Open. Pegula, whose strengths are amplified on faster surfaces than red clay, had still never lost to an unseeded player at Roland Garros. She was also 19-2 against opponents ranked outside the Top 100 at Grand Slams. However, she could not overcome Boisson’s inspired performance and the overwhelming support of the French crowd.
With this loss, Pegula missed the opportunity to improve her ranking and solidify her position at the top of the women’s game. It also prevented her from at least matching her best finish in a French Open singles tournament, which was a quarterfinal appearance in 2022.
A Comeback Story
Boisson’s journey to the French Open quarter-finals is a testament to her resilience and determination. Just a year ago, she was recovering from a torn ACL sustained a week before the 2024 French Open. She was forced to undergo surgery and was out of the sport for nine months.
The tattoo reading ‘Resilience’ above Boisson’s right elbow proved prophetic during her arduous recovery journey. Her return to the court in 2025 has been nothing short of sensational, culminating in her stunning upset of Pegula.
Key Moments of the Match
The match between Boisson and Pegula was a captivating contest filled with twists and turns. Here are some key moments:
- First Set: Pegula started strong, winning the first set 6-3. She hit 15 winners and committed only six unforced errors, while Boisson struggled with four winners and 14 unforced errors.
- Second Set: Boisson clawed her way back into the match, taking the second set 6-4. She began to find her range and capitalize on Pegula’s errors.
- Third Set: The deciding set was a tense affair, with both players battling hard. Boisson broke Pegula in the ninth game and then held her serve to secure the victory.
- Boisson’s Forehand: Boisson’s massive forehand proved difficult for Pegula to handle, and the momentum shifted as the Frenchwoman forced a decider. Boisson’s heavy spin on her forehand and feel around the net completely discombobulated the flat-hitting Pegula, who was pushing and poking the ball around, devoid of all rhythm or aggression.
- Crowd Support: The French crowd played a significant role in Boisson’s victory, cheering her on and creating an electric atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The stadium, only one-third full when the match started, filled to capacity in the decider. The fans lending the lone surviving French player in the singles draws a shoulder, cheering loudly and singing the national anthem.
Boisson’s Road to the Quarterfinals
Boisson’s path to the quarterfinals was not easy. Before facing Pegula, she had to overcome several other challenges:
- First Round: She defeated 24th seed Elise Mertens 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
- Second Round: She beat Anhelina Kalinina 6-1, 6-2.
- Third Round: She won against fellow Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot 6-3, 0-6, 7-5.
What’s Next for Boisson?
Boisson’s quarterfinal opponent was Mirra Andreeva. Boisson’s quarterfinal appearance guarantees her a minimum of $500,000 in prize money. “It’s already a big achievement to be in the quarters,” Boisson said, remarkably composed during her post-match press conference. “My ranking will open doors to bigger tournaments, and that’s what will change my life.”
Her performance has already captured the hearts of tennis fans around the world. A few weeks ago, Lois Boisson was known more for her humour than her tennis — cracking jokes about deodorant sponsors after a mid-match complaint went viral.
Pegula’s 2025 Season So Far
Despite the disappointing loss at the French Open, Jessica Pegula has had a strong 2025 season. Some of her highlights include:
- Titles: Charleston, Austin
- Finals: Miami, Adelaide
Pegula has won eight singles titles and seven doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including three WTA 1000 titles in singles and two in doubles. She is also a seven-time major singles quarterfinalist, having reached this stage at all four majors: thrice at the Australian Open (2021–2023), twice at the US Open (2022.
A Look at Pegula’s Career
Jessica Pegula (born February 24, 1994) is an American professional tennis player. She has career-high rankings in singles of world No. 3, achieved October 2022, and in doubles of world No. 1, set on 11 September 2023. Pegula reached the singles finals of the 2024 US Open and the 2023 WTA Finals. In doubles, she reached the final of the 2022 French Open, partnering with Coco Gauff, and the mixed doubles final of the 2023 US Open with Austin Krajicek.
Conclusion
Lois Boisson’s stunning upset of Jessica Pegula at the 2025 French Open is a reminder that anything can happen in tennis. Boisson’s remarkable run from injury to the quarterfinals is an inspiring story of resilience and determination. While Pegula will be disappointed with her loss, she remains one of the top players in the world and will no doubt be back to compete for major titles in the future.
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