Victoria Mboko's Remarkable Victory at National Bank Open

Montreal, Aug 8 (AP) – Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko capped a remarkable run by clinching the National Bank Open title, triumphing over Japan’s Naomi Osaka with a comeback victory of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Eighteen-year-old Mboko, currently ranked 85th, is set to soar to 25th in the world rankings. She captured her first WTA Tour title — placing her alongside Faye Urban in 1969 and Bianca Andreescu in 2019 as the only Canadians to win this prestigious home event during the Open era.

Mboko fell to her knees in jubilation as Osaka’s final shot found the net, and a capacity crowd erupted in applause at the center court. The victorious Mboko then rushed to embrace her family and coaches who were seated in the courtside box.

The enthusiastic supporters prompted several requests from the umpire for quiet during play. After her triumph, Mboko expressed her gratitude, saying, “It's been an incredible week here in Montreal. Montreal, je vous aime!”

In contrast, as the crowd offered appreciation mixed with some jeers to Osaka, she responded, “Thanks, I guess,” without acknowledging Mboko’s victory. Osaka opted not to speak with the media following the match.

The encounter was marked by a staggering 13 service breaks in 25 games, as Mboko impressively converted eight out of nine break-point opportunities. Despite battling a wrist ailment and recording 13 double faults after a fall on Wednesday, her resilience prevailed.

Mboko, who was born in Charlotte, North Carolina to Congolese parents, was raised in Toronto. Her journey to the title included stunning victories over four Grand Slam champions, such as top seed Coco Gauff, whom she defeated 6-1, 6-4, along with victories over Osaka, Sofia Kenin, and Elena Rybakina.

Meanwhile, Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1, put in her strongest WTA 1000 performance since reaching the Miami final in 2022. After a 15-month break that concluded with the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023, Osaka remains winless since her 2021 Australian Open triumph.

Mboko’s victory makes her the third wild card to win a WTA 1000 title, joining Maria Sharapova’s 2011 Cincinnati win and Andreescu's 2019 Indian Wells triumph.

(AP) ATK ATK

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