Victoria Mboko has made history with a remarkable performance at the National Bank Open. The young tennis star staged a thrilling comeback against Elena Rybakina to secure a spot in the final, winning 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4). The match, which lasted two hours and 46 minutes, ended with Mboko dropping to the ground in celebration as the crowd cheered her on.
Mboko, an 18-year-old from Toronto with Congolese roots, displayed incredible resilience throughout the match. Despite facing a match point earlier in the third set, she managed to break Rybakina’s serve twice and eventually force a tiebreaker. The victory marks a significant milestone in Mboko’s burgeoning career on the WTA tour.
Following her impressive performance, Mboko expressed gratitude to her supporters in French, acknowledging the challenges she overcame during the match. She is set to climb to at least 34th in the world rankings, a remarkable achievement considering her ranking at the start of the year.
In the upcoming final, Mboko will face Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan. Osaka secured her spot in the final by defeating Clara Tauson in the semifinals. The stage is set for an exciting showdown between two talented athletes at the pinnacle of their game.
Mboko’s journey to the final has resonated with fans across Canada, as she becomes the fourth Canadian woman to reach the final at the Canadian Open. Her remarkable run of victories and upsets has captured the attention of the tennis world, solidifying her status as a rising star in the sport.