Montreal – Canadian tennis sensation Vicky Mboko has officially arrived on the global stage. The 18-year-old wild card delivered a stunning comeback victory over four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the Canadian Open final, securing her maiden WTA title in front of an electric home crowd.
In yet another show of resilience, Mboko battled back from a set down for the second consecutive match, defeating Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. This victory is expected to catapult her from World No. 333 at the start of the year to inside the Top 35 in the latest WTA rankings — a meteoric rise few could have predicted.
“Playing in Montreal for the first time was surreal. I was nervous, but I just tried to soak in every second,” Mboko said after lifting the trophy. “I never imagined I’d make the final, let alone win the tournament. I can’t even describe the emotions right now.”
Four Grand Slam Champions Beaten in a Week
On her road to the championship, Mboko defeated Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka — all Grand Slam winners — in a fairy-tale run that lit up the Canadian tennis scene. Her final victory over Osaka prompted wild celebrations, so much so that the men’s final in Toronto between Ben Shelton and Karen Khachanov had to be paused when the crowd erupted after hearing the news.
Shelton, who went on to win his match 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3), later posted:
“Congrats to Vicky Mboko! I had no idea what was going on, but Toronto clearly went crazy for you.”
Shaky Start, Strong FinishMboko, who has developed a reputation for slow starts but fierce comebacks, struggled early with 22 unforced errors, allowing Osaka to take the opening set in just 38 minutes. The second set was chaotic, with seven service breaks, but Mboko’s aggressive returns earned her a 5-2 lead. Despite a wobble while serving for the set, she regrouped and forced a decider.
In the third, Osaka’s resistance faded as Mboko reeled off the last five games to seal the biggest win of her career, the Montreal crowd chanting “Allez Vicky” as she raised her arms in triumph.
Eyes on the US Open
Mboko has already made appearances at the French Open (third round) and Wimbledon (second round) this year, and now sets her sights on a debut at the US Open, starting August 24.
“It’s my first US Open, so everything’s new. Not everything will go perfectly, but I’m happy just to be in this position,” Mboko said. “Moments like these build character.”
From Charlotte to Canadian Hero
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina to Congolese parents who emigrated in 1999 to escape political unrest, Mboko first picked up a racket in Toronto, inspired by Serena and Venus Williams. She is now coached by Nathalie Tauziat, a former World No. 3 and Wimbledon finalist, who praises Mboko’s calm under pressure.
“The US Open is the next goal — she’s capable of something special,” Tauziat said.
Osaka’s Comeback Continues
For Osaka, this was her second WTA final of the year and her third since winning the 2021 Australian Open. Despite falling short, her wins over four seeded players in Montreal suggest her rebuild is on track.
The Japanese star, who had hoped to get her career fully back on track after returning from maternity leave, couldn’t quite maintain her momentum following a mixed run of results.
“I’m happy I made it to the final,” Osaka said. “Victoria played incredibly well. I actually forgot to congratulate her on court, but she truly delivered an amazing performance.”
“It’s funny — this morning I felt so grateful, and I’m not sure why my emotions shifted so quickly.”
On Saturday, Osaka will head straight to the Cincinnati Open to face Czech player Linda Nosková as she continues fine-tuning her game ahead of the US Open.
