Underdog Victoria Mboko Secures Victory Over Naomi Osaka in Canadian Open Finals
Rising Star Victoria Mboko Wins Canadian Open Title
Victoria Mboko, a 19-year-old tennis player from Canada, stunned the world of women's tennis by claiming the Canadian Open title, her first WTA Tour title, and the first Canadian win at a WTA 1000 event since Bianca Andreescu's triumph in 2019.
Mboko, who started the year ranked No. 333, entered the tournament as a wildcard and showed her potential from the very beginning. She defeated top players such as Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina before facing four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the final.
The match was a closely contested battle, with Osaka winning the first set 6-2. However, Mboko's determination shone through, as she broke Osaka's serve four times in the second set to level the match at 1-1. The third set was all Mboko, as she dominated with a 6-1 scoreline, securing her historic victory.
Mboko thanked Osaka for an incredible match and expressed her emotions about her win, stating that she has many emotions going through her head and can't express them. She also thanked the wildcard for giving her the opportunity to compete in the tournament.
Mboko's victory will propel her to No. 34 in the rankings when updated. Despite managing a wrist injury sustained in the semifinals, she saved four break points in the fourth game of the final set to secure her win. The match duration was two hours and four minutes.
Mboko's career progression showcases a remarkable rise from receiving wildcards in tournaments to becoming a WTA Tour title winner. Her early ITF success included winning her first professional singles title at the ITF W25 Saskatoon Challenger in 2022 and defending it in 2023. She added several more ITF titles in 2024 and early 2025, including W35 tournaments in the Caribbean and events in Europe and the U.S.
Mboko's breakthrough at the WTA level came when she received wildcards for WTA events, including Miami in early 2025, where she earned her first WTA main draw win against Camila Osorio and pushed Paula Badosa to a third set, showing her potential against elite players.
Mboko's aggressive baseline play, heavy topspin forehand, and mental toughness have been crucial in her swift rise and ability to upset established stars. She is the third wild card to win a WTA 1000 title since the format's introduction in 2009, following Maria Sharapova (Cincinnati, 2011) and Bianca Andreescu (Indian Wells, 2019).
Mboko looked up to Osaka when she was younger and thanked her for inspiring her to pursue her dreams in tennis. With this win, she has undoubtedly become an inspiration for the next generation of Canadian tennis players.
In her impressive victory at the Canadian Open, Victoria Mboko showcased her skills in tennis, overcoming four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a closely contested match. This triumph in the world of sports marks Mboko's victory in the tennis MBoko vs Naomi Osaka showdown, a significant highlight of her career.
