Canadian tennis sensation Victoria Mboko delivered a monumental upset at the National Bank Open in Montreal, securing the most significant victory of her burgeoning career by defeating top-seeded Coco Gauff. This stunning performance sent shockwaves through the WTA Tour as the young rising star advanced to the quarterfinals.
The electrifying encounter saw Victoria Mboko dominate Coco Gauff with an impressive 6-1, 6-4 scoreline. The decisive straight-sets win showcased Mboko’s exceptional form and strategic prowess against one of the sport’s established elites.
Following her remarkable triumph, Mboko expressed her elation in her on-court interview. “It’s incredible,” she stated in French, her voice filled with joy. “I’m so happy to beat such a great champion,” encapsulating the magnitude of her achievement.
The 18-year-old Canadian tennis talent, who received a wild card entry into the prestigious National Bank Open, has been a revelation throughout the tournament, dropping only one set across her four matches leading up to this pivotal tennis upset. Her journey has captivated fans in Montreal.
Mboko’s ascension has been swift; she began the year ranked No. 333, entered the Montreal event at No. 85, and soared to No. 53 after her win over Gauff. Her match statistics further underscore her stellar play, as she saved all five break-point opportunities and converted four of five against Gauff, winning 55.6% of points against Gauff’s second serve.
Reflecting on her approach, Mboko shared her mental fortitude. “Coming into the match, I was so locked in,” she told Sportsnet. “I tried to keep my composure as much as I could, especially playing in front of so many people. This is a very special experience for me.”
Interestingly, Coco Gauff had previously overcome Victoria Mboko in Rome in May, rallying after losing the first set. Despite the loss, Gauff offered high praise, acknowledging Mboko’s potential: “I’m sure we’re going to have many more battles in the future. Yeah, I think she’s going to have a lot of success on tour.”
Gauff, however, continued to struggle with her serve during the National Bank Open, committing six double faults in the match against Mboko, bringing her tournament total to a concerning 43 double faults over three matches. This recurring issue proved costly against Mboko’s aggressive play.
As a result of her breakthrough performance, Victoria Mboko now advances to face either Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro or China’s Link Zhu in the quarterfinals, marking an exciting new chapter in her promising career on the WTA Tour.
