French Open 2025: Wild card Lois Boisson's victory over Jessica Pegula is 'life-changing' - 'Watch out for her'
Published 02/06/2025 at 15:56 GMT+1
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TNT Sports tennis expert Laura Robson said wild card Lois Boisson's French Open fourth-round victory over world No. 3 Jessica Pegula is a reminder "why tennis is such a good sport". Alongside Robson, fellow pundits Tim Henman and Mats Wilander were stunned in equal measure, as Boisson's run equates to more than triple the career prize money she had previously accrued.
'What a storyline' - Boisson victory at French Open a 'reminder of why we love tennis'
Video credit: TNT Sports
French wild card Lois Boisson's fourth-round victory over world No. 3 Jessica Pegula is "life-changing", Tim Henman said.
Boisson, 22, succumbed to Pegula's dominance in an opening set befitting of their respective world rankings, but from then on, the Frenchwoman rallied to draw level and, in a gruelling final set, battled to victory, sparking magnificent scenes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"I can't believe what we've just seen on Phillipe-Chatrier, it's moments like this that you remember why tennis is such a good sport, why you love it," TNT Sports expert Laura Robson said.
"From the moment you see her step on the court today with no fear, to the last game where we saw twists, turns, nerves. At one point, she was asking her coach what to do. Just unbelievable for her to come through that."
The fiercely competitive third set saw Boisson and Pegula trade a break apiece until the scores were locked at 4-4, when the tie turned tense, air in the crowd became thin, yet did not hinder the quality of tennis.
Locked at deuce, Pegula desperately chalked back three of Boisson's break points, but could not stop the wild card from sealing it at the fourth opportunity and giving herself the chance to serve for the match, which she eventually did - after saving four break points.
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Highlights: Boisson causes huge upset as she beats Pegula to reach quarter-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports expert Henman said: "It's just incredible to see someone like that ranked outside the top 350 against a top-five player and just that competitive spirit.
"It's the biggest crowd we've seen all week, they were just right behind her.
"You can't turn to your team-mates, you just have to find a way to get the job done. I thought her courage and her conviction to keep getting that forehand into play.
"The 4-4 game with 21 points, she found a way to come through that, serving for a match. She can't even breathe out there, she's so tight, she got it done and what an ovation from the crowd."
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He added: "It's a life-changing achievement so far, you could see the relief on her face and the reaction from the crowd was incredible."
Boisson's journey to becoming a wild card at this year's Roland-Garros has been anything but straightforward. She had to miss last year's tournament after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. All but one of her matches so far have gone to three sets.
Mats Wilander was equally impressed by the seismic achievement of reaching the quarter-final, which itself will see Boisson accumulate more than triple her total career prize money, and feels she is one to watch heading into the tournament's business end.
"Her forehand is unbelievable, it has so much spin on it," Wilander said. "I was down there watching it live early in the third set, it's amazing how high it bounces.
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Watch incredible emotions as home favourite Boisson stuns Pegula in big shock
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I love the variety, you just wonder where she's been. Obviously, she's been injured, but what a great player she is. She has the perfect, clay-court game and now it turns out she knows how to use the crowd as well.
"I say watch out for her now, she now believes she can go further."
Wilander also feels that seeing a Frenchwoman reach this stage of the competition is "crucial" for the younger, emerging generations.
"It's so important for the tournament that we have someone from a home country in all the Grand Slams, and you realise when it happens how important it is for the tournament but also for the sport," he said.
"For a tennis nation like France, to have someone in the quarter-finals is crucial for the development of the juniors that come behind."
Boisson will face No. 6 seed Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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