APTeen sensation Victoria Mboko pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 and win her maiden WTA title at the Canadian Open on Thursday.
The 18-year-old Canadian, appearing in her first WTA final, capped a dream run in Montreal by toppling Osaka, who was chasing her first tour title since the 2021 Australian Open.
Mboko, ranked outside the top 300 at the start of the season, entered the tournament at No. 85 and is now projected to rise to world No. 34. Her title run included victories over four Grand Slam champions: Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and finally Osaka.
Osaka, 27, looked in vintage form early, dominating the first set with early breaks as Mboko struggled with 22 unforced errors. But the Canadian turned the tide in a second set filled with momentum swings and seven service breaks. Though she faltered while serving for the set, Mboko regained composure and clinched it after Osaka missed a forehand on set point.
The third set saw Osaka unravel. She was broken at love to start the set, and though she briefly broke back, she soon received a warning for frustration and couldn’t recover. Mboko surged ahead, winning five straight games and saving four break points en route to a 3-1 lead that put the match out of reach.
On match point, Osaka netted a backhand, and Mboko collapsed in joy as the crowd erupted. Despite the loss, Osaka showed signs of resurgence with her best WTA 1000 showing since 2022, following a recent coaching shakeup.
The 18-year-old Canadian, appearing in her first WTA final, capped a dream run in Montreal by toppling Osaka, who was chasing her first tour title since the 2021 Australian Open.
Mboko, ranked outside the top 300 at the start of the season, entered the tournament at No. 85 and is now projected to rise to world No. 34. Her title run included victories over four Grand Slam champions: Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and finally Osaka.
Osaka, 27, looked in vintage form early, dominating the first set with early breaks as Mboko struggled with 22 unforced errors. But the Canadian turned the tide in a second set filled with momentum swings and seven service breaks. Though she faltered while serving for the set, Mboko regained composure and clinched it after Osaka missed a forehand on set point.
The third set saw Osaka unravel. She was broken at love to start the set, and though she briefly broke back, she soon received a warning for frustration and couldn’t recover. Mboko surged ahead, winning five straight games and saving four break points en route to a 3-1 lead that put the match out of reach.
On match point, Osaka netted a backhand, and Mboko collapsed in joy as the crowd erupted. Despite the loss, Osaka showed signs of resurgence with her best WTA 1000 showing since 2022, following a recent coaching shakeup.
Add 
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
