Victoria Mboko’s journey at the China Open in Beijing came to an end in the second round as she faced a tough loss against world No. 59 Anastasia Potapova with scores of 7-6(5), 7-5. This defeat marks a downturn for Mboko, who has now faced back-to-back losses for the first time this year, including her recent first-round exit at the US Open.
During the match, the Canadian, currently ranked No. 23 in the world, demonstrated some promising moments, particularly in breaking Potapova’s serve early. Mboko scored an early advantage with an impressive passing shot but found herself under immense pressure to maintain her lead. She faced a total of 16 break points, losing her serve five times, and struggled with 11 double faults throughout their encounter.
Mboko’s performance in the first set was inconsistent, as she managed to stave off multiple break points to gain a 5-5 tie, only to lose momentum in a tiebreak. Despite managing a commendable comeback in the tiebreak, her long backhand handed Potapova a crucial set point, which the latter capitalized on.
The second set saw Mboko initially fight back, even serving for the set at 5-3 having broken Potapova twice in succession. However, her fortunes reversed as Potapova claimed 12 consecutive points. The Russian player seized the opportunity to flip the match around, decisively ending the set and match as Mboko’s forehand sailed out.
Mboko’s defeat leaves fellow Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez as the national representation still standing in Beijing. Fernandez is set to face world No. 3, Coco Gauff, in an anticipated clash in the tournament’s third round.
This result underscores the unpredictability and competitive edge present in tennis, highlighting the challenges players face at every match level. However, Mboko’s skills and potential remain evident, and with further growth and experience, she is poised to bounce back stronger in future tournaments.