Can Wildcard Teen Mboko Upset Rybakina to Reach Montreal Final Against Osaka?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Canadian teen sensation Victoria Mboko is making waves at the Canadian Open with her remarkable performance. She has reached the finals by defeating former Grand Slam champions and is set to face Naomi Osaka. Can she continue her magical run and claim her first WTA title? Read on to find out more about this thrilling tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Victoria Mboko makes history as the first Canadian to defeat three Grand Slam champions in one event.
- She is the youngest Canadian finalist in the Canadian Open's Open Era.
- Mboko's victory over Rybakina showcases her potential and resilience under pressure.
- She has secured a place in the Top 40 WTA rankings.
- Mboko will face Naomi Osaka in the final match.
Montreal, Aug 7 (NationPress) Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko continues her enchanting journey in Montreal, advancing to the Canadian Open final after pulling off another stunning upset. The 18-year-old wildcard triumphed over No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), marking her inaugural appearance in a WTA Tour singles final.
Mboko has made history as the first Canadian athlete to overcome three former Grand Slam champions (Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Sofia Kenin) within a single WTA event during the Open Era. She is also the fourth Canadian to reach the final of this prestigious tournament, following in the footsteps of Faye Urban (1968, 1969), Vicky Berner (1969), and Bianca Andreescu (2019). Notably, she is the youngest among them and the first to achieve this feat in Montreal, according to WTA statistics.
Additionally, she is the third wildcard to make it to the final in the Canadian Open's Open Era, joining the ranks of Monica Seles (1995) and Simona Halep (2015).
In the final set, Mboko demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure. Rybakina attempted to serve for the match at 5-4 and again at 6-5, but faltered just shy of victory.
Mboko saved a match point while trailing at 4-5 and broke again at 5-6. During the tiebreak, the young Canadian exhibited steadiness, striking the ball decisively from both sides and delivering crucial serves when necessary.
“In a tiebreaker, every point is pivotal. I focused on maintaining calmness, especially during long rallies. My goal was to keep the ball in play and fight with all I had. I wanted to remain composed since it's an incredibly tense moment,” Mboko reflected in her post-match press conference.
Having started the season ranked outside the Top 300 in the WTA rankings and now sitting at No. 85, Mboko is guaranteed a spot in the Top 40 regardless of the outcome of the final.
In the final, she is set to face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who secured her place in the championship match with a 6-2, 7-6(7) victory over No. 16 seed Clara Tauson. Osaka saved two set points in the second set during a tiebreak, overcoming earlier leads of 3-1 and 4-2.
Point of View
Our commitment at NationPress is to provide an unbiased lens on the remarkable achievements of athletes like Victoria Mboko. Her journey is not just a personal triumph; it is a testament to the potential of young talent in Canada. We applaud her resilience and look forward to witnessing her future in the sport.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Victoria Mboko?
Victoria Mboko is an 18-year-old Canadian tennis player who has made headlines by reaching the finals of the Canadian Open as a wildcard entrant.
What notable achievements has Mboko accomplished?
Mboko is the first Canadian to defeat three former Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event and is the youngest Canadian finalist at the Canadian Open.
Who will Mboko face in the final?
In the final, Mboko will compete against Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion.
What was the score of Mboko's match against Rybakina?
Mboko won against Rybakina with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4).
What impact will this tournament have on Mboko's ranking?
Regardless of the final outcome, Mboko is assured a spot in the Top 40 of the WTA rankings.
