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Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Toronto teen Victoria Mboko extends perfect run to reach third round at French Open
Published May 28, 2025 • 1 minute read Canada's Victoria Mboko returns the ball to New Zealand's Lulu Sun during their first round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Sunday May 25, 2025. Photo by Christophe Ena / AP Toronto's Victoria Mboko extended her dream run at the French Open with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Germany's Eva Lys on Wednesday to reach the third round. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 18-year-old Canadian hasn't dropped a set through five matches — including three wins in qualifying — and has now posted back-to-back main-draw victories at the tour level for the first time. She improved her season record to 42-5, with most of those wins coming on the lower-tier ITF circuit, where she's captured five titles. Ranked No. 120, Mboko will next face Olympic champion and eighth seed Qinwen Zheng of China. In men's doubles, Montreal's Gabriel Diallo and British partner Jacob Fearnley cruised into the second round with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Colombia's Nicolas Barrientos and India's Rithvik Bollipalli. Diallo is also competing in singles and will face No. 35 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in the second round. Fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov, of Richmond Hill, Ont., is scheduled to face Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic in his second-round singles match on Thursday. Canada Crime Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Sabalenka sets stage, early exit for Sun
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has sounded an early warning siren to her French Open rivals, dismantling Kamilla Rakhimova, while Kiwi Lulu Sun lost in the first round. China's Zheng Qinwen followed Sabalenka into the second round, returning to the venue of her Olympic gold last year and thumping 202 runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova before Lorenzo Musetti eased past Yannick Hanfmann in the afternoon sun. With the day session on Court Philippe Chatrier wrapped up, Roland Garros hummed with anticipation as fans who braved spells of morning rain gathered for the showpiece to celebrate Spanish great Nadal at the site of his 14 French Open triumphs. A classy tribute unfolded as the 22-times major winner received a permanent plaque with his footprint on the same clay that witnessed his greatness for two decades. The writing was on the wall for a dejected Rakhimova when the 27-year-old Sabalenka broke for a 3-0 lead in the second set after scampering for a ball which clipped the net cord and getting a forehand winner. The Belarusian top seed, who is bidding for her maiden French Open title, was delighted with the clinical performance that extended her winning streak in the opening round of Grand Slams to 18 before she paid homage to Nadal on his big day. "He was an inspiration for me, the hard work he put in is incredible. He's a nice guy and he worked super hard to achieve everything he did," Sabalenka said. Three-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka ensured everything was on schedule for the ceremony as she cranked up her big serve and forehand in front of a sparse crowd under the roof of the main showcourt to blow away her opponent 6-1 6-0 in an hour. Zheng crushed Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3 later to extend her winning run on Parisian clay to seven matches while Ukraine's Elina Svitolina dropped only two games in a 6-1 6-1 win over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who secured her first win since her maternity break at the Italian Open this month, was an early casualty after her 3-6 6-0 6-4 defeat by Swiss Viktorija Golubic. Germany's Eva Lys produced an upset, beating American 28th seed Peyton Stearns 6-0 6-3, while Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko marked her Grand Slam main-draw debut with a 6-1 7-6(4) victory over New Zealand's Lulu Sun. Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini had to dig deep to battle past China's Yuan Yue before earning a nerve-wracking 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory. Hamad Medjedovic became the first player into the men's second round with a 6-3 6-3 7-6(2) win over Kamil Majchrzak and he was joined by local hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who hit 12 aces to beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs 4-6 6-3 7-6(5) 6-4. Musetti had little trouble seeing off qualifier Hanfmann 7-5 6-2 6-0 but American 12th seed Tommy Paul had to overcome a slow start and rain interruptions to beat lucky loser Elmer Moller 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3 6-1. "It was a weird match from the jump with the wind and the rain on and off, it being a little colder," Rome semi-finalist Paul said. "He came out playing well, ready to go. I started a little slow, also a little nervous. After that first set, I felt like I was able to loosen up and really start playing my game better." Frances Tiafoe made a strong start in his own quest to end the two-decade Grand Slam drought of American men by moving past Roman Safiullin 6-4 7-5 6-4.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Sabalenka sets the stage, Sun knocked out
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has sounded an early warning siren to her French Open rivals, dismantling Kamilla Rakhimova, while Kiwi Lulu Sun lost in the first round. China's Zheng Qinwen followed Sabalenka into the second round, returning to the venue of her Olympic gold last year and thumping 202 runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova before Lorenzo Musetti eased past Yannick Hanfmann in the afternoon sun. With the day session on Court Philippe Chatrier wrapped up, Roland Garros hummed with anticipation as fans who braved spells of morning rain gathered for the showpiece to celebrate Spanish great Nadal at the site of his 14 French Open triumphs. A classy tribute unfolded as the 22-times major winner received a permanent plaque with his footprint on the same clay that witnessed his greatness for two decades. The writing was on the wall for a dejected Rakhimova when the 27-year-old Sabalenka broke for a 3-0 lead in the second set after scampering for a ball which clipped the net cord and getting a forehand winner. The Belarusian top seed, who is bidding for her maiden French Open title, was delighted with the clinical performance that extended her winning streak in the opening round of Grand Slams to 18 before she paid homage to Nadal on his big day. "He was an inspiration for me, the hard work he put in is incredible. He's a nice guy and he worked super hard to achieve everything he did," Sabalenka said. Three-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka ensured everything was on schedule for the ceremony as she cranked up her big serve and forehand in front of a sparse crowd under the roof of the main showcourt to blow away her opponent 6-1 6-0 in an hour. Zheng crushed Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3 later to extend her winning run on Parisian clay to seven matches while Ukraine's Elina Svitolina dropped only two games in a 6-1 6-1 win over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who secured her first win since her maternity break at the Italian Open this month, was an early casualty after her 3-6 6-0 6-4 defeat by Swiss Viktorija Golubic. Germany's Eva Lys produced an upset, beating American 28th seed Peyton Stearns 6-0 6-3, while Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko marked her Grand Slam main-draw debut with a 6-1 7-6(4) victory over New Zealand's Lulu Sun. Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini had to dig deep to battle past China's Yuan Yue before earning a nerve-wracking 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory. Hamad Medjedovic became the first player into the men's second round with a 6-3 6-3 7-6(2) win over Kamil Majchrzak and he was joined by local hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who hit 12 aces to beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs 4-6 6-3 7-6(5) 6-4. Musetti had little trouble seeing off qualifier Hanfmann 7-5 6-2 6-0 but American 12th seed Tommy Paul had to overcome a slow start and rain interruptions to beat lucky loser Elmer Moller 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3 6-1. "It was a weird match from the jump with the wind and the rain on and off, it being a little colder," Rome semi-finalist Paul said. "He came out playing well, ready to go. I started a little slow, also a little nervous. After that first set, I felt like I was able to loosen up and really start playing my game better." Frances Tiafoe made a strong start in his own quest to end the two-decade Grand Slam drought of American men by moving past Roman Safiullin 6-4 7-5 6-4.
South Wales Guardian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Victoria Mboko continues rapid rise by winning on grand slam debut
The 18-year-old from Canada, whose parents emigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo due to political conflict before she was born, came through qualifying without dropping a set. Ranked 333 at the start of the year, Mboko took to the court at 11am on the opening Sunday at Roland Garros and showed no sign of nerves in a 6-1 7-6 (4) win over New Zealander Lulu Sun, the world number 45 who beat Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon last July. A winning start for Victoria Mboko! 😎🎾 The Canadian wins her first-round match at Roland Garros in straight sets against Lulu Sun. This was also her first main draw win at a Grand Slam tournament. 💪 Next round, she'll face Eva Lys. Go Vicky! 🇨🇦@nationalbank — Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) May 25, 2025 It was Mboko's 38th win of the season and she has lost just five matches, two of which were three-set battles with top-10 players Paula Badosa and Coco Gauff. Now ranked 120, Mboko's rapid upward trajectory means she is well in with a chance of qualifying directly into the Wimbledon main draw later this summer. 'I didn't expect the whole thing, honestly,' she said. 'I mean, even to be here and playing even the quallies, I was so excited to be in a grand slam for the first ever time. 'I remember coming here as a junior, watching the older girls play. It was such a great experience. I'm happy I experienced it in the juniors so that it kind of prepared me for the professional level. 'The whole thing is honestly kind of a surprise. I mean, now I'm here, I feel like I can do something with it and make the most of it. Mboko will meet German number one Eva Lys in the second round on Wednesday. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is safely through after opening proceedings on Court Philippe-Chatrier, taking exactly one hour to dispatch Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1 6-0. The 27-year-old from Belarus said: 'I'm super happy with the win today. Super happy with the level. 'It was amazing playing out there. I can't wait to play another match on this beautiful stadium.' Last year's surprise runner-up Jasmine Paolini survived a mid-match wobble, the Italian fourth seed beating China's Yue Yuan 6-1 4-6 6-3. Eighth seed Qinwen Zheng, runner-up at this year's Australian Open, beat former Roland Garros finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3. Diana Shnaider, the 11th seed from Russia, sat on the court in tears after turning her ankle in a nasty fall, but recovered to beat Ukrainian qualifier Anastasiya Soboleva 7-6 (3) 6-2. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova lost 3-6 6-0 6-4 to Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic. The highest-ranked man in action on day one, eighth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti, beat Germany's Yannick Hanfmann 7-5 6-2 6-0.
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Victoria Mboko continues rapid rise by winning on grand slam debut
The 18-year-old from Canada, whose parents emigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo due to political conflict before she was born, came through qualifying without dropping a set. Ranked 333 at the start of the year, Mboko took to the court at 11am on the opening Sunday at Roland Garros and showed no sign of nerves in a 6-1 7-6 (4) win over New Zealander Lulu Sun, the world number 45 who beat Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon last July. A winning start for Victoria Mboko! 😎🎾 The Canadian wins her first-round match at Roland Garros in straight sets against Lulu Sun. This was also her first main draw win at a Grand Slam tournament. 💪 Next round, she'll face Eva Lys. Go Vicky! 🇨🇦@nationalbank — Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) May 25, 2025 It was Mboko's 38th win of the season and she has lost just five matches, two of which were three-set battles with top-10 players Paula Badosa and Coco Gauff. Now ranked 120, Mboko's rapid upward trajectory means she is well in with a chance of qualifying directly into the Wimbledon main draw later this summer. 'I didn't expect the whole thing, honestly,' she said. 'I mean, even to be here and playing even the quallies, I was so excited to be in a grand slam for the first ever time. 'I remember coming here as a junior, watching the older girls play. It was such a great experience. I'm happy I experienced it in the juniors so that it kind of prepared me for the professional level. 'The whole thing is honestly kind of a surprise. I mean, now I'm here, I feel like I can do something with it and make the most of it. Mboko will meet German number one Eva Lys in the second round on Wednesday. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is safely through after opening proceedings on Court Philippe-Chatrier, taking exactly one hour to dispatch Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1 6-0. The 27-year-old from Belarus said: 'I'm super happy with the win today. Super happy with the level. 'It was amazing playing out there. I can't wait to play another match on this beautiful stadium.' Last year's surprise runner-up Jasmine Paolini survived a mid-match wobble, the Italian fourth seed beating China's Yue Yuan 6-1 4-6 6-3. Eighth seed Qinwen Zheng, runner-up at this year's Australian Open, beat former Roland Garros finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-3. Diana Shnaider, the 11th seed from Russia, sat on the court in tears after turning her ankle in a nasty fall, but recovered to beat Ukrainian qualifier Anastasiya Soboleva 7-6 (3) 6-2. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova lost 3-6 6-0 6-4 to Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic. The highest-ranked man in action on day one, eighth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti, beat Germany's Yannick Hanfmann 7-5 6-2 6-0.
