Mboko’s dramatic comeback propels her to National Bank Open final

  • maskobus
  • Aug 10, 2025

A Historic Comeback and a New Star Emerges

Victoria Mboko’s journey in the National Bank Open has been nothing short of extraordinary. The 18-year-old from Toronto, born to Congolese parents in Charlotte, North Carolina, made history by reaching the final after an electrifying comeback against Elena Rybakina. Her performance was a masterclass in resilience, determination, and composure under pressure.

The match, which lasted two hours and 46 minutes, was one of the longest of Mboko’s young WTA career. It began with Rybakina dominating the first set, winning 6-1. However, Mboko quickly found her rhythm in the second set, showcasing her powerful backhand and relentless energy. She forced a third set that would become the most dramatic of the day.

In the third set, Mboko faced a critical moment when she was down 5-4 and facing a match point. With the crowd roaring and the tension palpable, she saved the match point with a series of powerful returns. She then broke Rybakina’s serve twice, forcing a tiebreaker. Despite a wrist injury sustained earlier in the match, Mboko remained focused and fought through the pain.

Her perseverance paid off as she won the tiebreaker 7-4, sealing a 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) victory. The stadium erupted with cheers, and fans waved “Allez Vicky” signs, celebrating Mboko’s historic achievement.

Mboko’s journey to the final has been marked by several key milestones. She became the fourth Canadian woman and the youngest to reach the final at the Canadian Open. This is a significant accomplishment, especially considering the recent success of Bianca Andreescu, who won the title in 2019.

Mboko’s performance this year has been impressive. She improved from outside the top 300 at the start of the year to at least 34th in the world rankings. Her record this season stands at 52-9 across all competitions, including 26-8 against higher-ranked players. She also defeated Rybakina in the D.C. Open earlier this month, but this win in Montreal was arguably more dramatic.

Despite the challenges, Mboko showed incredible mental strength. She acknowledged the support from the crowd, saying, “Without you guys, I don’t think I would have been able to pull this through.” She also mentioned that her wrist felt much better after the match, though it had been a concern during the third set.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric throughout the match. Fans were fully engaged, cheering every point and chanting “Vick-y! Vick-y! Vick-y!” Even when Mboko made mistakes, the crowd remained behind her, providing the motivation she needed to keep pushing forward.

Rybakina, a former world No. 3 and Wimbledon champion, admitted that the home crowd played a significant role in the outcome. “It was pretty tough from the very beginning,” she said. “I already felt it from the first game we played.”

Mboko’s path to the final has not been easy. She has overcome injuries, tough opponents, and high expectations. Her rise to prominence began with an unbeaten streak on the ITF Tour and continued with strong performances at Grand Slam tournaments, including a win over Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the National Bank Open.

Now, Mboko faces a new challenge: a final against Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion. This will be her first WTA final, and she is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“I have the opportunity to lift that beautiful trophy, but I still have one match to go,” Mboko said. “I’m always focused on the present moment. I don’t really focus on the end, but it’s obviously a vision I would like to see. That’s what I’m playing for.”

With her talent, resilience, and growing fanbase, Victoria Mboko is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young stars in tennis. Her story is just beginning, and fans are eager to see what she will accomplish next.

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