Canadian teen Victoria Mboko outlasts Naomi Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown
Canadian teenager
Victoria Mboko
, ranked 85th in the world, defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to win her first WTA title at the Canadian Open in Montreal on Thursday.
The 18-year-old, who started the season outside the top 300, is now projected to rise to 34th in the world rankings after her remarkable victory over the 27-year-old Japanese star.
Mboko's path to victory included impressive wins over multiple Grand Slam champions throughout the tournament. She eliminated former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the second round, defeated reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in the fourth, and overcame former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the semifinals after saving a match point.
"It's been an incredible week here in Montreal," Mboko said at the trophy presentation. "I also want to thank Naomi for an incredible match. I've always looked up to her when I was really little, so it's always great to play with an amazing player like you."
The match began with Osaka displaying dominant form in the first set, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead. Mboko struggled with 22 unforced errors, losing the set 6-2.
Victoria Mboko beat four Grand Slam champions on the way to the title in Montreal. (AP)
The second set saw a dramatic shift with seven service breaks.
Mboko gained momentum and took a 5-2 lead, breaking Osaka at love. Despite facing difficulties with three double faults while serving for the set, Mboko eventually secured it when Osaka hit a forehand long.
The final set started with Osaka being broken at love, though Mboko couldn't immediately consolidate the break. The Canadian faced pressure in the third game but held serve for a 3-1 lead after saving four break points.
Osaka received a warning for hitting a ball skyward in frustration during the third set. The Japanese player's struggles continued as Mboko won five consecutive games to secure the victory.
The match concluded when Osaka hit a backhand into the net on match point, prompting Mboko to drop to the court as the 11,000-strong crowd celebrated with chants of "Allez Vicky."
Victoria Mboko (L) and Naomi Osaka (R) at the net after their WTA Montreal final match. (AP)
Mboko demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the match, converting eight of nine break points.
She managed this despite having 13 double faults in the match.
Osaka, currently ranked 49th in the world, had shown promise during the tournament following recent coaching changes. This was her best performance in a WTA 1000 tournament since reaching the Miami final in 2022.
At the trophy ceremony, Osaka kept her remarks brief, saying, "I don't really want to take up too much time. I'll just say thank you to everyone."
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