Mboko Dominates and Advances to the Canadian National Open Final
The young Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko staged an epic comeback to reach the final of the Canadian National Open. In an exciting match played on Wednesday night, Mboko defeated Elena Rybakina, ninth seed, with scores of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4). After a shot by Rybakina that went long on match point, Mboko fell to the ground, unleashing the euphoria of the audience present, who chanted “Allez Vicky!”. Mboko saved a match point in the third set and managed two breaks to force the tiebreaker.In the final, Mboko will face Japanese star Naomi Osaka, who defeated Clara Tauson of Denmark, the sixteenth seed, with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (7) in the second semifinal. Mboko, currently ranked 85th in the world, is seeking her first WTA circuit title and aims to join Faye Urban (1969) and Bianca Andreescu (2019) as the only Canadians to win the home event in the open era.“Incredible match. Thanks to everyone for their support. It was really difficult, but anything can happen,” Mboko declared to the crowd in French.
Victoria Mboko
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Congolese parents, Mboko grew up in Toronto. On her way to the final, Mboko defeated Coco Gauff, the top seed, with a score of 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday, and then Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 on Monday. Wednesday’s match, lasting 2 hours and 46 minutes, was the longest in Mboko’s short career. Elena Rybakina, winner of Wimbledon in 2022 and with nine WTA titles in her career, had defeated Mboko last month in Washington.“Playing in front of the home crowd, obviously, has its advantages. You always have everyone cheering you on to the fullest. It really pushes me in difficult moments where I might not be so positive. I feel really blessed to have that kind of support,” Mboko stated.
Victoria Mboko
Mboko overcame 11 double faults and battled a wrist injury after a fall in the second game of the third set. After the match, Mboko stated that his wrist felt “much better”.“I knew she was a tough opponent. She served very well in these important moments. It was a very close match, like a great fight. So it could have gone either way, but it was for her,” commented Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina
Naomi Osaka, four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, continues her best performance in a WTA 1000 tournament since reaching the Miami final in 2022.“I was playing really good tennis, on top of that, but I’m glad I kept my composure. I was patient at the right moments. I feel very happy that I was able to come back after being down, even a match point, I think,” added Mboko.
Victoria Mboko
