Victoria Mboko from Canada Kisses the trophy after her victory over Naomi Osaka of Japan during the final tennis campaign at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Thursday 7 August 2025. | Photoredit: AP
The Canadian teen Victoria Mboko organized a stunning comeback on Thursday (7 August 2025) to beat four-time Grand SLAM champion Naomi Osaka 2-6 6-4 6-1 and secure her Maiden Wta Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal.
The 18-year-old Wildcard met after dropping the first set to the Japanese former world number one, which had set up a 3-0 lead, and firmly held to close a remarkable fourteen days at home.
It was Mboko’s fourth victory over a Grand Slam champion in the tournament after the world number 85 Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina defeated on their way to the final.
“The last two weeks are insane,” said Mboko, who started the year ranked number 333.
“Even bringing the wildcard here … I was super happy to play in Montreal for the first time. I just remember that I felt nervous, but really as much as I could.
“When I won my first round, I was super happy and super capacity. I never thought I would have reached the final, let alone win the tournament.
“I have so many emotions that go through my head, I can’t even express it.
Local favorite Mboko found her rhythm in the second set and breaked serve to establish a 5-2 lead while Osaka struggled with her return, and capitalized to increase the game and forcing a decision maker.
The decisive moment came in the third set, when Mboko took a 3-1 lead after saving four breaking points in a crucial fourth game that gave her a strong grip on the game while she claimed the title after two hours and four minutes of play.
“I want to thank Naomi for an incredible game,” said Mboko earlier on the field.
“I always looked up at her when I was very little. It is always great to play with such a great player like you.
“I couldn’t be more grateful,” she added.
Mboko added that she looked ahead to the US Open, which starts on August 24, but also tempered expectations.
“I will play it for the first time, so there is a lot of new start for me,” she added.
“Although I experience everything for the first time this year, I think it will clearly be one up and down journey along the way, but I just want to enjoy the process as much as possible.
“Not everything will go my way or not everything will be positive, but I am just very happy to be in this situation … I think the character is building.”
For Osaka, who tries to breathe new life into her career after an inconsistent period after her return of a pregnancy interruption, beating her long title of drought has expanded.
“It’s funny, this morning I was very grateful and I don’t know why my emotions turn around so quickly,” said Osaka, who last lifted a trophy on the Australian Open 2021.
“I’m glad I played the final. Victoria played very well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the field, but she really did great.”
Published – August 08, 2025 12:02 pm
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