MONTREAL — A sellout crowd erupted in cheers as Victoria Mboko celebrated a career-defining victory, her joy palpable as she covered her face with her hands. The 18-year-old from Burlington, Ontario, has quickly become a sensation in Canadian tennis, stunning the tennis world by defeating top seed Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 in just 62 minutes during the round of 16 at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
“I still can’t believe it,” Mboko reflected after securing her place in the quarterfinals at IGA Stadium. “Everything happened so quickly, with so many people cheering for me. I’m super happy to have moved on.”
Her impressive performance against the world No. 2 showcased her power and determination. Mboko finished the match with a break, after Gauff, burdened by errors, sent the final shot into the net. Remarkably, no other Canadian player, on either the men’s or women’s side, progressed past the third round at this year’s Open. This places Mboko just three wins away from claiming the title in only her seventh career WTA Tour main draw.
In the quarterfinals, she will face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro from Spain. Their previous clash saw Gauff overcome Mboko in Rome, but the Canadian committed to matching Gauff’s intensity this time. She successfully converted four out of five break-point opportunities while defending against all of Gauff’s attempts to break her serve.
Mboko recalled the feel of her earlier match in Rome, saying, “I wanted to elevate my game and stay right there with her.” The enthusiasm in the stands mirrored the excitement when Denis Shapovalov upset Rafael Nadal in 2017, with perhaps even more exuberance from the Montreal crowd.
The anticipation was evident before the match, as fans gathered in large numbers, undeterred by the late start time. Chants of “Let’s go Vicky” reverberated throughout the venue, with the crowd delivering their spirited ‘Ole, Ole, Ole’ cheer after her victory.
Mboko’s blend of strong serves and relentless aggression made her a formidable opponent against the two-time Grand Slam champion. She was the first player this year to hold serve against Gauff without dropping a single game. Despite Gauff struggling with double faults earlier in the tournament, this match was undeniably a display of Mboko’s growth and talent.
As she progresses, Mboko is expected to move up at least 30 spots in the rankings to around No. 55, marking her as the youngest Canadian quarterfinalist since Helen Kelesi in 1987 and the first since Bianca Andreescu claimed the title in 2019.
Eugenie Bouchard, recently retired, praised Mboko’s rise, noting that those familiar with her potential were not surprised by this accomplishment. “Her power and mindset are impressive,” Bouchard said, recalling how Mboko’s skills were evident even when they practiced together as teenagers.
Even at a recent dinner where she innocently inquired about the menu, Mboko showed her youthful side, but her prowess on the court proves she can handle the pressures of high-stakes matches like a seasoned athlete.
As she continues to conquer new challenges, Mboko remains grounded in her routine, attributing her success to maintaining the same approach she has always followed in tournaments. Gauff acknowledges her potential, stating, “She has a really bright future, for sure.” As Mboko moves forward, her journey resonates with inspiration, paving the way for aspiring young athletes in Canada and beyond.