Victoria Mboko’s 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) victory over Elena Rybakina in the Canadian Open semifinals is a testament to her growth as a player. The 18-year-old’s first WTA 1,000 semifinal win marks a significant milestone in her career.
Mboko’s powerful performance was nearly overshadowed by an injury that forced her to take a medical timeout during the third set. However, she showed remarkable resilience and determination to overcome Rybakina’s commanding tempo and rally tolerance.
The turning point came in the second set, when Mboko adjusted her strategy and slowed down the pace of the match. She capitalized on Rybakina’s vulnerability with just 41% first serves going in and took a 3-0 lead. The momentum shifted in favor of Mboko, who played it fast but ultimately lost serve twice to gift Rybakina chances.
Mboko’s comeback was nothing short of remarkable. Down 5-5 and facing match point, she broke back for love, then levelled the score at 4-4 in the tiebreaker. A decisive forehand winner sealed the victory, sending Mboko into her first WTA 1,000 final.
The win has significant implications for Mboko’s career trajectory. It cements her position as a rising star and demonstrates her ability to perform under pressure. The Canadian Open title will be a defining moment in her journey towards becoming one of the world’s top players.
As Mboko moves on to face Naomi Osaka or Clara Tauson in the final, she can draw inspiration from this thrilling victory. With each milestone achieved, her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in women’s tennis continues to grow.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6539353/2025/08/06/tennis-victoria-mboko-canadian-open-elena-rybakina-result-analysis