Tennis player Victoria Mboko progresses to the semi-finals at the Canadian Open tournament
Victoria Mboko Makes History at the Canadian Open
Victoria Mboko, a 21-year-old tennis prodigy, has made history at the Canadian Open. The rising star will face Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, in her next match.
Mboko's journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary. She started the year ranked No. 333 and has since climbed her way to the top 50, thanks to her impressive performances on the court.
Her breakthrough came at the Canadian WTA 1000 event in Montreal, where she became the second-lowest ranked player (No. 85) to win a WTA 1000 title since the format began in 1990. During the event, she defeated four former Grand Slam champions, including world No. 1 seed Coco Gauff and No. 3 Elena Rybakina, winning her first WTA Tour title in only her seventh main draw on tour.
Before her WTA 1000 success, Mboko had defended her title at the ITF W25 Saskatoon tournament (2022 and 2023) and won several other ITF-level tournaments across different countries in 2024 and early 2025. These victories fueled her rapid rise, compiling a 33–3 record and reaching No. 85 before the Montreal tournament.
Mboko's success marks the first time a Canadian woman has reached the semi-finals of the Canadian Open since Bianca Andreescu's victory in 2019. Her impressive start to 2025 includes a 22-match winning streak, and her recent win over Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, was a stunning victory.
In the upcoming semi-final match, Mboko's burgeoning talent will be tested against Rybakina's experienced play. Rybakina, the ninth seed in the Canadian Open, reached the semi-finals after her opponent, Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine, had to retire due to a wrist injury.
Mboko, who made her WTA Tour debut in March 2025, could not be more grateful for her progress in the tournament. She expressed her excitement about reaching the semi-finals in Montreal, especially since it's her first time playing in the city.
The young tennis star knocked out the 25th seed at Wimbledon and showcased her talent with a third-round appearance at the French Open. Her victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the quarter-finals was with a score of 6-4, 6-2.
The upcoming semi-final match between Mboko and Rybakina promises to be an exciting spectacle, showcasing the best of both players' skills. Mboko's career trajectory in 2025 is nothing short of remarkable, and her semi-final appearance at the WTA 1000 level is a testament to her hard work and dedication.
Tennis prodigy Victoria Mboko's victory over Elena Rybakina marked her first ever encounter in a game of sports, a significant milestone in her impressive rise. As she prepares for the semi-finals, her tennis skills will be put to the test against the experienced Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion.
