Young tennis prodigy surpasses Coco Gauff's achievement, handing her a stunning defeat in an hour's play.
In a stunning turn of events at the Omnium Banque Nationale présenté par Rogers, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko has made history by defeating top seed Coco Gauff to reach the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open. This marks the youngest quarter-finalist appearance since the spectacle of Cori Gauff in 2022.
Mboko's journey to the semifinals began with a decisive victory over Gauff, ending with a score of 6-1, 6-4 in just 62 minutes. The match was not without its challenges, as Gauff, who has been struggling with her serve, committed six double-faults in the contest, bringing her tournament total to 43 in just three matches.
Mboko's impressive performance saw her convert four out of five break points against Gauff, a testament to her resilience and skill on the court. This victory also marks Mboko as the fifth-youngest player to defeat a top-seed in a WTA-1000 event since the format's introduction.
Prior to this tournament, Mboko began the year ranked 333rd in the world. However, a series of wins and titles has seen her rise to 53rd in the rankings. The young tennis star needed a wildcard to play in this tournament, but her performances so far suggest that it was a worthy decision.
Mboko's next challenge comes in the form of Elena Rybakina in the semifinals this evening. The match is scheduled for Centre Court at IGA Stadium in Montreal at approximately 6:00 PM Eastern Time and will be broadcast live on the Tennis Channel. Fans can also stream the match on the Tennis Channel app and website.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek, the Wimbledon winner, is playing today for a spot in the quarterfinals. Elsewhere, Maddison Keys, the Australian Open winner, is looking for a quarterfinal spot but has Karolína Muchova in her way.
The Canadian Open continues to serve up exciting matches, with the US Open set to begin on Aug. 24. Mboko's historic run at the French Open in May is a testament to her potential, and her performance at the Canadian Open has only added to the anticipation surrounding her future in the world of tennis.
Mboko's impressive victory over Gauff in the Canadian Open is not just limited to tennis, as she became the fifth-youngest player to defeat a top-seed in a WTA-1000 event. Furthermore, her resilience and skill on the court were evident as she converted four out of five break points against the top seed. Additionally, this win marks another milestone in her career, as she continues to make a mark in the world of sports, with her next challenge being against Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.
