High school student Mboko defeats Rybakina, advancing to the Canadian Open final against Osaka
Young Canadian Tennis Star Victoria Mboko Shines at the 2023 Canadian Open
In a thrilling turn of events at the 2023 Canadian Open, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Congolese parents and raised in Toronto, has made a remarkable impact, reaching the semi-finals.
Mboko, coached by former world No. 3 Nathalie Tauziat, has rapidly risen through the ranks, making a name for herself on the ITF circuit and the WTA Tour. Her journey in the Canadian Open has been nothing short of spectacular, with major upsets along the way.
The young tennis prodigy started her run by defeating top seed Coco Gauff and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. In the final held in Montreal, Mboko triumphed over Naomi Osaka, marking her breakthrough on a big stage. This impressive performance has propelled her ranking from No. 333 at the start of 2025 to a projected No. 24 following the tournament.
Mboko's success at the Canadian Open is part of an exceptional 2025 season where she dominated ITF events with multiple titles and enjoyed her first Grand Slam main draw wins at the French Open, showcasing her rapid rise in professional tennis.
Meanwhile, in the men's tournament, 11th seed Karen Khachanov clinched a victory over Alexander Zverev in a near three-hour battle. Khachanov's previous ATP Masters 1000 final was at Paris in 2018, where he upset Novak Djokovic. With this win, Khachanov will climb to 12th in the world rankings.
In a surprising turn of events, Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old Australian Open semifinalist, upset second-seeded Taylor Fritz, securing his place in the ATP Masters 1000 final against Khachanov. Shelton is the youngest American to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since Andy Roddick in Toronto in 2004.
On the women's side, Naomi Osaka, a four-times Grand Slam champion, has also reached the final of the Canadian Open. Osaka booked a place in a WTA 1000 final for the first time since Miami 2022.
Mboko's accomplishment at the Canadian Open is even more impressive when considering she is the first Canadian to beat three former Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event in the Open Era. She joins an exclusive club that includes Elena Rybakina, Sofia Kenin, and Coco Gauff.
Mboko's journey in the Canadian Open is a testament to her hard work, determination, and talent. Her success is inspiring for young tennis players around the world and sets the stage for an exciting future in professional tennis.
The news of Victoria Mboko's success at the 2023 Canadian Open, where she reached the semi-finals, has made headlines in the world of sports and tennis. Despite her relatively recent entrance into the WTA Tour, Mboko has rapidly showcased her talent in the business of tennis, amassing multiple ITF titles and Grand Slam main draw wins this exceptional season.
