Teenager Mboko from Canada shockingly defeats top-seeded Gauff in Montreal competition
Montreal, August 7, 2025
Victoria Mboko, an 18-year-old Canadian tennis sensation, made history on Sunday by winning the National Bank Open (WTA 1000 tournament) in Montreal. In an exhilarating final, Mboko defeated Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to capture her first career WTA title.
Mboko, who was ranked No. 85 before the tournament, overcame a wrist injury and a formidable line-up of opponents. She defeated four Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event, making her the second-youngest player ever to do so in the Open Era.
The young Canadian's journey to victory began with a surprising win over top-seeded American Coco Gauff. Gauff, who struggled with double faults, had a combined 37 during her first two matches, but Mboko's tenacious play proved too much for her. Mboko broke Gauff three times during the match to secure her spot in the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Mboko faced Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion. Rybakina, who was slowed by nine double faults during her match against Dayana Yastremska, managed to advance. However, Mboko's resilience shone through as she saved all four break points she faced during the match.
The final match against Osaka was a thrilling display of tennis. Mboko leveled the ninth game at 30-30 with a blistering backhand, setting the stage for an exciting finish. The match lasted for 62 minutes, with Mboko emerging victorious in the third set 6-1.
Mboko's victory marks a historic moment as she becomes the first Canadian woman to win the Montreal WTA 1000 event and only the third Canadian to win the hometown tournament in the Open Era, joining Bianca Andreescu (2019) and Faye Urban (1969).
With this win, Mboko propels herself to a career-high ranking of No. 25, securing her first Grand Slam seeding at the upcoming US Open and earning her a performance bye at the Cincinnati Open. Her triumph was celebrated by a large, enthusiastic home crowd, marking an important breakthrough in her career and highlighting her as one of the rising stars in women's tennis.
Meanwhile, Rybakina will face Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals, who came from behind to beat American McCartney Kessler. Yastremska, who defeated eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro in her previous match, will next play either China's Zhu Lin or Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Zhu Lin, previously ranked No. 31 in the world, has dropped to 493rd due to a five-month absence in 2024 and an additional three months of missed play due to an elbow injury. Despite this, she will be a formidable opponent for Yastremska, who has shown great determination throughout the tournament.
As the dust settles on the National Bank Open, the tennis world eagerly awaits to see what Mboko will achieve next in her promising career. Her victory in Montreal is a testament to her hard work, determination, and talent, and it is clear that she is destined for great things in the world of women's tennis.
[1] Tennis.com
[2] ESPN
[3] BBC Sport
[4] Sports Illustrated
[5] CBS Sports
[1] With her historic victory at the National Bank Open, Victoria Mboko's name is not just resonating in the world of sport, but also in the realm of art and news, as her story inspires many across the globe.
[2] Mboko's triumph at the Montreal WTA 1000 event has been a topic of significant discussion in the middle of the sports world, with fans and analysts alike praising her tenacity and talent.
[3] The victory of 18-year-old Victoria Mboko in the National Bank Open has not only stirred excitement in the sport of tennis, but also in the art of storytelling, as journalists and reporters try to capture the essence of her remarkable journey.
[4] As Victoria Mboko continues to make waves in the world of tennis, her achievements are not confined to the sport. Her story is being headlined in major news outlets worldwide, a testament to her impact beyond the courts and her status as a rising star.
[5] The victory of the young Canadian tennis sensation, Victoria Mboko, in the National Bank Open has been a multi-faceted triumph, echoing in the realms of sport, art, and news, marking a significant moment in her promising career.
