Canada’s Victoria Mboko has sent ripples across the professional tennis world with a series of astonishing performances, culminating in a monumental upset at the Canadian Open.
The 18-year-old phenom delivered a masterclass on Friday, decisively defeating the top-seeded American Coco Gauff in straight sets (6-1, 6-4) during the fourth round. This victory not only stunned spectators but also secured Mboko’s inaugural quarterfinal berth at a prestigious WTA 1000 event, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
This triumph followed another remarkable win earlier in the tournament, where Mboko overcame former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin with an equally impressive 6-2, 6-3 scoreline in the second round, signaling her intent from the outset.
Speaking to the press after her swift victory over Gauff, which concluded in just over an hour, Mboko conveyed a mixture of shock and elation. She candidly admitted to struggling to articulate the depth of her excitement after overcoming the reigning world number two so comprehensively, highlighting her satisfaction at maintaining composure throughout the high-stakes encounter, particularly in its closing moments.
When queried about potentially capitalizing on Gauff’s evident struggles—including an unusual 37 unforced errors across her first two Canadian Open matches—Mboko firmly stated her sole focus was on executing her best tennis. Her professional approach underscored a commitment to her own game rather than external factors.
During her immediate post-match on-court interview, Mboko described her achievement of defeating Gauff as ‘incredible,’ extending heartfelt gratitude to the local Toronto crowd. She expressed immense appreciation for their unwavering support in every match, acknowledging the profound impact of such vocal encouragement.
The depth of support resonated deeply with Mboko, who noted she had never experienced such widespread cheering at a tournament, especially a WTA event of this magnitude. She emphasized the unique significance of having Canadian fans rally behind her at their home WTA tournament, underscoring the vital role the crowd played in her success and emotional experience.
Looking ahead, Victoria Mboko is set to face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the quarterfinals. Maneiro, 22, also secured her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal spot by defeating Zhu Lin. This upcoming match will mark the very first professional encounter between these two promising players.
