Canadian Sensation Mboko Stuns Rybakina, Reaches WTA Final

Summary:

• Victoria Mboko saved a match point and rallied from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina in the semifinal at the National Bank Open.
• The 18-year-old is now the youngest Canadian woman to reach the final.
• Mboko will play against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka for her first WTA title.

Victoria Mboko’s impressive rise carried on uninterrupted on Wednesday night at the National Bank Open when the 18-year-old Canadian tennis sensation upset former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) in a rollercoaster semifinal.

Mboko: “I Had Everyone Supporting Me and Pushing Me Through”

Down a set, nursing a wrist injury, and facing match point against one of the most dangerous players on tour, Mboko showed she has nerves of steel and the mentality of a real fighter, clawing her way back in front of a loud Montreal crowd.

The player who was raised in Toronto, Ontario by Congolese parents saved a match point at 4-5 in the third set, then managed to break Rybakina twice to force a decisive tiebreak.

Her semifinal win was also the longest match of her WTA career at 2 hours and 46 minutes. While she aggravated her wrist early in the final set of the second game when she stumbled to the ground, she kept going and pushed through.

In a brief exchange with her fans, the Charlotte, N.C.-born took the opportunity to thank them for their support while acknowledging the “truly difficult” but “incredible match”, adding “anything can happen“/

The crowd had been behind her all night, waving “Allez Vicky” signs and chanting her name. As soon as her opponent’s final forehand sailed long, Mboko acknowledged her win and dropped her head in her hands as the stadium erupted in cheers.

I had everyone supporting me and pushing me through. Without you guys, I don’t think I would have been able to pull this through.

Playing for the Trophy 

With the win, Mboko becomes the youngest Canadian woman to reach the final at the tournament, and the first since Bianca Andreescu’s 2019 triumph.

She’ll now face Naomi Osaka in the final, and her performance in Montreal has already catapulted her from outside the top 300 to at least No. 34 in the rankings.

The electricity in the stadium was hard to ignore, especially after her win over Coco Gauff earlier in the tournament. Now, even her practices gather serious crowds.

I have the opportunity to lift that beautiful trophy, but I still have one match to go. That’s what I’m playing for.

Can the Canadian keep her fantastic run going against Naomi Osaka and take the title? Get the best tennis odds from selected sportsbooks.