Mboko Achieves Milestone as Third Wildcard to Reach Canadian Open Final

In a stunning display of skill, Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko orchestrated a remarkable comeback to triumph over Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) on Center Court this Wednesday.

This victory secures Mboko’s place in the Canadian Open final, where she is set to compete against Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

During the initial set, Mboko faced challenges, succumbing to a 1-6 loss as Rybakina asserted dominance early on. The 18-year-old Canadian seemed uneasy, struggling to match the tempo and accuracy of her more seasoned adversary.

However, the dynamic of the match shifted dramatically in the second set as Mboko discovered her cadence and composure. She challenged Rybakina fiercely, ultimately securing the set at 7-5 and compelling a decisive set.

In the third set, Mboko showcased resilience by not only saving a match point but also executing two breaks against Rybakina to remain competitive. The match culminated in a final-set tiebreaker, where Mboko maintained her composure to clinch the victory in spectacular manner.

Mboko’s journey to the final in Montreal has been truly extraordinary. Before this match, she had already defeated former Grand Slam champions Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff, adding to the impressiveness of her campaign.

She now holds the distinction of being only the third wildcard entrant to reach the Canadian Open final, following Monica Seles in 1995 and Simona Halep in 2015.

In her post-match remarks, Mboko expressed gratitude to her supporters, stating, “I felt everyone’s support pushing me forward. I don’t think I could have made it through without you all.”

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, secured her spot in the final by defeating Denmark’s 16th seed Clara Tauson 6-2, 7-6(7) in the second semifinal.

The 27-year-old former world number one has made history as the first Japanese player in the Open Era to advance to the Canadian Open final.