Gauff Reaches Fifth Consecutive French Open Quarterfinals
Coco Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open for the fifth consecutive year by defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets on Monday. Meanwhile, Lois Boisson, ranked No. 361 and the last French player in singles, caused an upset by defeating third-seeded Jessica Pegula with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Gauff Reflects on Her Performance
“I played well throughout the match. She raised her level in the second set, but overall I felt great,” Gauff commented after her match. She expressed confidence playing on clay, stating, “I move well on clay and feel very comfortable with sliding. It’s the most physical surface, and I excel in that area.”
Boisson’s Historic Upset
Though Boisson made history as the first French player to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros since 2017, the crowd size was a disappointment, with less than 5,000 spectators present for the opening point. Nonetheless, as she played the final set, the atmosphere improved with chants of “Lois, Lois!” from the audience, culminating in a rendition of La Marseillaise following her victory.
A Gracious Winner
After a hard-fought 2-hour and 40-minute match, Boisson expressed her gratitude: “I don’t know what to say, but thank you. Playing on this court in such a vibrant atmosphere was incredible.” She acknowledged her win would significantly boost her career earnings, moving from $21,000 to at least $500,000.
Building Momentum
Boisson’s powerful forehand posed challenges for Pegula, especially in the deciding set, where she broke at a crucial moment. As the first French wildcard to make the last eight since Mary Pierce in 2002, she also becomes the lowest-ranked female player to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Kaia Kanepi in 2017.
Gauff’s Upcoming Match-Up
Gauff, who won the 2023 US Open and was a 2022 French Open runner-up, will face her fellow American, Madison Keys, in the upcoming quarterfinals. Keys won her match against Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 7-5 to set up their matchup.
Light-hearted Banter on Racket Blunder
Gauff humorously reflected on an incident earlier in the tournament where she forgot her rackets for a match. She engaged in playful teasing with Frances Tiafoe, who previously made the same error. Despite the lighthearted nature of their banter, Gauff acknowledged that she is usually known for her maturity and professionalism, and she took Tiafoe’s comments in stride.
