Coco Gauff concludes Boisson’s remarkable story, paving her way to the historic French Open 2025 final. Explore the key moments and expert insights here.
A Clash of Generations and Dreams
On a vibrant evening at Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 2025 French Open women’s singles semifinal delivered a spectacle that encapsulated everything compelling about Grand Slam tennis. World No. 2 Coco Gauff, already a household name at just 21, faced off against French wild card Lois Boisson, whose improbable journey from obscurity to national darling had captured the imagination of Paris and beyond. In just over an hour, Gauff ended Boisson’s Cinderella run with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory, booking her place in a second Roland Garros final and setting up a blockbuster title clash with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. See also: Sabalenka Stuns Swiatek to Halt 26-Match Paris Streak in Semifinal
The Making of a French Sensation
Lois Boisson’s story is the stuff of tennis legend. Entering the tournament ranked No. 361 in the world, the 22-year-old Frenchwoman was granted a wild card—an opportunity she seized with both hands. Her run to the semifinals was historic: Boisson became the lowest-ranked woman to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros in 40 years and the first woman to make the quarterfinals in her Grand Slam debut since 2008. Along the way, she stunned the tennis world with upset victories over two top-10 seeds, including World No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 6 Mirra Andreeva.
Her performances electrified the French crowds, who rallied behind their new heroine. Boisson’s blend of gritty defense, deep topspin, and tactical variety proved too much for seasoned opponents, and her resilience, returning from a devastating ACL injury that sidelined her for nine months in 2024, added a layer of emotional resonance to her campaign.
Coco Gauff’s Ruthless Efficiency
Yet, as the semifinal unfolded, the gulf in experience and firepower became apparent. Gauff, runner-up in Paris in 2022 and US Open champion in 2023, entered the match with poise and determination. She broke Boisson’s serve early, silencing the partisan crowd and racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set. Gauff’s relentless baseline pressure forced Boisson into errors, and the American wrapped up the opening set in just 38 minutes.
Statistically, Gauff was superior in every department. She won 62% of her first-serve points and a remarkable 70% on her second serve, while Boisson managed just 38% and 39% respectively. Gauff struck 12 winners to Boisson’s 8, but the telling figure was the unforced errors: Boisson committed 33, more than double Gauff’s 15. Gauff dominated long rallies, winning 15 of 23 points that lasted more than eight shots, a testament to her fitness and tactical maturity.
A Moment of Magic, a Lesson in Reality
For Boisson, the match was a step too far. The physical and emotional toll of her run, highlighted by a draining quarterfinal the day before, left her unable to replicate the level that had toppled Pegula and Andreeva. Despite flashes of brilliance—her deft slices and court coverage drawing applause—she was unable to sustain pressure against Gauff’s relentless consistency and athleticism.
The French crowd, sensing the end, gave Boisson a rousing ovation as she left the court. She exits Roland Garros not just with a life-changing $785,000 in prize money—five times her career earnings to date—but also with a meteoric rise in the rankings. Boisson will leap more than 300 places to enter the Top 70, becoming France’s highest-ranked woman and a new standard bearer for the nation’s tennis hopes.
Gauff’s Second Parisian Bid: Lessons Learned, Confidence Gained
For Coco Gauff, the victory is more than just another step toward Grand Slam glory. Her first final in Paris, as a teenager in 2022, was marked by nerves and a sense of awe. This time, she approaches the title match with the experience of a champion and the composure of a seasoned pro.
“My first final here, I was super nervous, and I kind of wrote myself off before the match even happened,” Gauff reflected after the semifinal. “Here, I have a lot more confidence just from playing a Grand Slam final before and doing well in one. Yeah, I think going into Saturday, I’ll give it my best shot and try to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Whatever happens, happens, and knowing that I put the best effort forward”.
Her opponent in the final, Aryna Sabalenka, dethroned three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the other semifinal. The Gauff-Sabalenka rivalry is finely balanced, with each winning twice in their four meetings since Gauff’s US Open triumph. The 2025 French Open final will be the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown at Roland Garros in over a decade, promising a fitting climax to a tournament rich in storylines.
The Legacy of Boisson’s Run
While Boisson’s dream ended in the semifinals, her impact on French tennis is profound. Her journey from wild card to national sensation has inspired a new generation of fans and players. Overcoming injury, self-doubt, and formidable opponents, she reminded the world—and herself—of the unpredictable magic of sport.
Boisson’s run ensures she will no longer be an unknown. She has proven she can compete with the world’s best, and with her new ranking and confidence, she will enter future tournaments not as a wild card, but as a genuine contender.
A Night to Remember, a Future to Anticipate
The 2025 French Open women’s semifinal between Coco Gauff and Lois Boisson was more than a tennis match—it was a celebration of resilience, talent, and the enduring allure of the underdog. Gauff’s clinical performance sets up a tantalizing final, but Boisson’s fairytale journey will echo long after the clay has settled.
As Paris turns its eyes to the championship, the city will remember the wild card who dared to dream—and the champion who reminded everyone why she is among the very best.