A Historic Comeback at the National Bank Open
Victoria Mboko’s journey to the final of 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 headlines with a stunning comeback against Elena Rybakina, a former world No. 3 and Wimbledon champion. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Mboko overcoming a set deficit, two break points while her opponent served for the win, and even a wrist injury to secure a place in the final.
The match, which lasted two hours and 46 minutes, was the longest of Mboko’s young WTA career. After dropping the first set 1-6, Mboko found her rhythm in the second, using her powerful backhand to force a decisive third set. The turning point came when she saved a match point at 5-4 in the third set. She then broke Rybakina’s serve twice to take the tiebreaker and ultimately win the match 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4).
Mboko’s performance was not just about skill but also resilience. She suffered a wrist injury after falling awkwardly during the third set’s second game, but she managed to rally and take a 2-1 lead before receiving medical attention. “Without you guys, I don’t think I would have been able to pull this through,” she said during her on-court interview.
Her victory over Rybakina marks a significant milestone in her career. Mboko became the fourth Canadian woman—and the youngest—to reach a final at the Canadian Open. This achievement adds to her growing list of accomplishments, including a 52-9 record in all competitions this year and 26-8 against higher-ranked players.
Mboko’s rise has been remarkable. She began the year outside the top 300 and is now projected to climb to at least 34th in the world rankings. With another win, she could potentially move even higher, especially as she faces four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the final.
Osaka, who defeated Clara Tauson in the semifinals, is no easy opponent. However, Mboko has shown she can handle high-pressure situations. Her ability to stay composed under pressure was evident throughout the match against Rybakina, where she managed to turn the tide despite committing 11 double-faults and winning only 35% of her points on second service.
Mboko’s journey has not been without challenges. After two injury-plagued seasons, her resurgence started with an unbeaten streak on the ITF Tour and continued with a run through qualifying to the French Open’s third round. She later upset Magdalena Frech at Wimbledon, setting the stage for her breakout performance in Montreal.
The crowd at IGA Stadium was electric, with fans chanting “Allez Vicky” and supporting Mboko throughout the match. Even when she faced tough moments, the home crowd’s energy helped her push through. “Playing in front of the home crowd obviously has its advantages,” Mboko said. “You always have everyone pumping you up as much as they can.”
Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, was initially the crowd favorite, but Mboko quickly took center stage. She became the only Canadian—man or woman—to advance past the third round in singles, drawing attention during her daily practice sessions.
Rybakina acknowledged Mboko’s strength, calling her a “tough opponent” who played well in crucial moments. “It was a very close match, like a big fight. So it could go any way, but it went hers,” Rybakina said.
As Mboko prepares for the final against Osaka, she remains focused on the present. “I have the opportunity to lift that beautiful trophy, but I still have one match to go,” she 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, determination, and the support of the Canadian crowd, Victoria Mboko is poised for a historic moment in her career.