Sawt Falasteen - France's 361st-ranked Boisson shocks Pegula to reach French Open quarters

The 22-year-old wildcard won 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping match lasting two hours and 40 minutes and next meets Russian sixth seed Mirra Andreeva for a place in the semi-finals.

Boisson becomes the first French singles player to reach the last eight of their home Grand Slam since 2017, and first as a wildcard since Mary Pierce in 2002.

The 31-year-old Pegula, the 2024 US Open runner-up, could not stop the momentum as Boisson dug deep, buoyed by the cheering home fans on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Boisson conceded the first set in just over half an hour with four double faults.

But playing her first Grand Slam main draw and only her second tour-level event, the Frenchwoman came back with a vengeance in the second set.

She began to mix up her game with well-timed drop shots -- 34 in total -- and lobs -- of which she had 32 -- firing down winners, with a powerful two-handed backhand breaking Pegula's serve to lead 5-4.

Boisson converted two of her six break-point chances, cupping her ear to hear the roar of the crowd as she held serve to love to set up a third-set decider.

The final set produced some epic games, especially the last two.

Whenever Boisson dragged out the rallies, the American finally cracked with an unforced error.

The player from Dijon held off four break points as she served for the match at 5-4 in the third set before sealing a stunning victory thanks to a powerful forehand winner.

She next plays 18-year-old Andreeva who won 6-3, 7-5 against Russian-born Australian Daria Kasatkina.

Q.Najjar--SF-PST