Young tennis player Victoria Mboko created an earthquake at the WTA Canadian Open when she defeated former world number 1, 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the final match on the morning of August 8, thereby winning the first WTA title of her career.
Mboko, 18, is making her first WTA final appearance and has impressed to keep Osaka from winning another title since the 2021 Australian Open. The 27-year-old Japanese star has struggled to regain her best form since returning to competition in early 2024 after maternity leave.
Mboko won the first major title of his career (Photo: Getty).
Mboko started the season outside the world’s top 300. However, her impressive form has seen her climb to No. 85 ahead of the tournament and she is expected to jump to No. 34 in the world after this historic win.
In front of a raucous home crowd on centre court, Mboko converted eight of nine break-point opportunities to secure her fourth win of the week against a Grand Slam champion. Her incredible run included defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the second round, reigning Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round, and saving a dramatic match point to overcome former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals.
In the first set, Osaka showed superior power and precision, not giving her young and inexperienced opponent many opportunities. She quickly broke to lead 3-0 and ended the set when Mboko made 22 unforced errors in this set.
However, Mboko made a stunning comeback in the second set, breaking serve seven times in total. Osaka looked flustered as Mboko piled on the pressure, with the Canadian breaking serve to take a 5-2 lead. Despite Mboko making three double faults and being broken on serve to win the set, and Osaka capitalizing with a white game, Mboko still won the next game.
Osaka appeared to lose steam as she was broken in the opening game of the third set. Although Mboko was unable to consolidate her advantage, Osaka found herself in a difficult position in the third game, being warned for hitting the ball in the air in frustration after missing her first serve on break point and losing the game with another forehand errant. This started a five-game winning streak for Mboko.
Both players struggled to hold serve, with the Canadian saving four break points to hold on for a 3-1 lead, but Osaka was presented with a formidable challenge. When Osaka sent a backhand over the net on the deciding point, Mboko fell to the floor as the crowd gave another round of applause, celebrating the historic win.
Osaka was energised in Montreal after a change of coach, having had her best performance at a WTA 1000 tournament since reaching the final in Miami in 2022.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/tay-vot-tre-vo-danh-bat-ngo-vo-dich-canadian-open-20250808090748891.htm
Comment (0)