Teen Sensation Victoria Mboko Stuns Naomi Osaka to Claim Maiden WTA 1000 Title at Canadian Open
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko delivered a stunning performance on Thursday, overcoming four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to win her first WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open. The 18-year-old showcased her resilience and skill in a gripping match, ultimately triumphing with scores of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.
The match began with Osaka, a former world No. 1, quickly establishing control by taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the first set. Mboko struggled with service errors, allowing Osaka to dominate early on. However, the home favorite found her rhythm in the second set, breaking Osaka’s serve and surging ahead to a 5-2 lead. Despite Osaka’s attempts to catch up, Mboko leveled the match, forcing a decisive third set.
The turning point came in the third set when Mboko saved four break points in a pivotal fourth game, ultimately taking a 3-1 lead. From there, she maintained her momentum, securing the title after two hours and four minutes of intense play.
“I want to thank Naomi for an incredible match. I’ve always looked up to her since I was very little. It’s always great to play with such an amazing player,” Mboko expressed after her victory. “I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Ranked 85th in the world, Mboko made history by becoming the first Canadian to defeat three former Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event, having previously overcome Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina during the tournament.
For Osaka, this match marked a disappointing end to her groundbreaking return to competitive tennis following maternity leave. The defeat extended her title drought, with her last victory coming at the 2021 Australian Open.
