Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner chase French Open semis as underdogs look for upsets

PARIS - Big guns Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both chase semi-final berths at the French Open on June 4, but the spotlight will be on home hope Lois Boisson in the women’s tournament.

French wildcard Boisson, ranked 361st in the world, steps up against Russian sixth seed Mirra Andreeva with a chance to write her own chapter in French tennis history.

Handed a wildcard to enter the tournament, the 22-year-old kept home hopes alive by battling past American third seed Jessica Pegula to reach the last eight.

“Obviously, it’s a dream to begin with. I hope to go further,” said the player from Dijon.

“This is my favourite surface. As soon as the clay season starts, this is when I feel best and when I feel happiest.”

Second seed Coco Gauff will play seventh seed Madison Keys in an all-American quarter-final, looking to join world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek who are already through to the final four in the other half of the draw.

Djokovic will compete in a record 19th French Open quarter-final against 2024 runner-up Alexander Zverev.

The German third seed will be well rested after his last-16 opponent Tallon Griekspoor retired on June 2 with an abdominal injury while trailing 6-4, 3-0.

Zverev, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 final, continues his latest bid for a maiden Grand Slam title after three runner-up finishes.

“For me, Carlos is the favourite. Then I would say the next three in line are Jannik, myself, and Novak, right? I still believe that,” said Zverev, who could meet top-ranked Sinner in the semi-finals.

Zverev has made at least the