French Open underdog’s fairytale run comes to an end as Lois Boisson is thrashed by Coco Gauff in semi-finals

• World No 361 Lois Boisson has reached the last four before losing to Gauff
• Shoulder and ligament injuries have meant her career has never really got going

By MATTHEW LAMBWELL

One of the most unlikely runs in Roland Garros history is over as French wildcard and world No 361 Lois Boisson was thrashed by Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.

Even in a 6-1, 6-2 defeat, 22-year-old Boisson showed flashes of the muscular, fleet-footed game which has won her so many fans this fortnight, and will surely win her many matches in the years to come.

Shoulder and ligament injuries have meant her career has never really got going; this Grand Slam debut has been quite the launchpad for the new world No65 and French No1.

The 21-year-old Gauff is a veteran by comparison, already in her seventh season on tour. And the prodigious American is into her second Grand Slam final, where she will meet Aryna Sabalenka – world No 2 against world No 1.

‘Lois is obviously an incredible player, I’m sure we’ll have many more battles here in the future, congratulations to her for an incredible tournament,’ said Gauff, who never allowed the Parisian crowd to become a factor in the match. ‘When you guys were chanting her name, in my head I was just chanting my name, just to psych myself out!’

So how did Gauff manage to crack the Boisson code, after her fellow top-10 seeds Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva so spectacularly failed?

Coco Gauff has reached the final of the French Open after beating world No 361 Lois Boisson

Boisson has shown good form and won a number of fans on the back of several career injuries

Those two flat hitters struggled with the heavy topspin of Boisson’s forehand, and wilted as the rallies became long and physical. Gauff is the best athlete on the tour and hits with far more loop on her shots: all she had to do was keep the ball high and deep, and use her legs. Some of her defensive play was fabulous – and she will certainly need that against Sabalenka.

The two finalists have met 10 times before, winning five each, and most of those matches have been close. They are both at the peak of their powers, both chasing a first title here. There are no guarantees, especially when nerves could be such a large factor, but things appear set up for a wonderful finale to what has – thanks in large part to Boisson – been a fantastic women’s event.

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French Open underdog’s fairytale run comes to an end as Lois Boisson is thrashed by Coco Gauff in semi-finals

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