Rybakina set for semifinal clash with Mboko in WTA Canadian Open
In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 Montreal WTA tournament, Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has emerged as the breakout star. The 18-year-old wildcard entrant made history by defeating several top players, including three former Grand Slam champions, culminating in her victory in the National Bank Open final.
Mboko's remarkable rise saw her jump from No. 85 to No. 25 in the world rankings, marking one of the biggest career jumps on the WTA Tour this year. Her final victory was against Naomi Osaka, another former world No. 1.
Key details supporting Mboko's achievement:
- Mboko's victory was her first WTA final in just her seventh main draw appearance.
- She defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 to advance.
- Bouzas Maneiro broke Mboko's serve to open the second set, but Mboko did not drop a game from there.
- Seven of the top 10 seeds were ousted before the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The implication from your question and context is that Mboko is the breakthrough player at the 2025 Montreal tournament, who achieved a massive leap in ranking after defeating top opponents. This fits all details of the event and her career rank jump described.
In another quarter-final match, Madison Keys, the US sixth seed and this year's Australian Open champion, will play against Danish 16th seed Clara Tauson.
Elsewhere, Elina Rybakina, seeded ninth, is seeking her third WTA title this year. She held a commanding 6-1, 2-1 lead against Marta Kostyuk but Kostyuk retired due to a wrist injury after 54 minutes. Rybakina, who won in Rome and Indian Wells in 2023, has not reached a final since last year at Miami.
Mboko, who started the year ranked 333rd, will jump into the top 50 for the first time in her career next week. She acknowledges the crowd in Montreal as a significant factor in her successful run and finds playing in Montreal an unparalleled experience. Interestingly, Mboko previously defeated Rybakina in their only prior meeting last month in the second round at Washington.
Elise Mboko's journey in Montreal has been nothing short of inspiring, and she has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the WTA Tour.
Canada's Victoria Mboko, who started her year ranked 333rd, will face Elina Rybakina, Ukraine's ninth seed, in the upcoming quarter-finals, as Mboko seeks to defend her win against Rybakina in their only prior meeting last month in Washington. India, being Mboko's opponent's home nation, might cheer for Rybakina, but the current tennis sensation, having already left a lasting impact on the WTA Tour, aims to make another mark and establish her dominance in sports, especially tennis.
