Bhubaneswar : Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko etched her name in tennis history by rallying to defeat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the 2025 Canadian Open at Montreal’s IGA Stadium. The 18-year-old wild card showcased remarkable resilience and poise on home soil, overcoming a painful wrist injury to capture her first-ever WTA Tour title, and becoming only the third Canadian woman to win the event in the Open Era.
Mboko’s breakthrough victory capped off a dream week marked by victories over four Grand Slam champions—Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Osaka—highlighting her rapid ascent from world No. 333 at the start of the year to inside the top 40. Her path to the title was notable for its intensity, including a semifinal win after saving a match point against Rybakina despite her wrist being swollen and stiff.
The final was electrifying, staged before a roaring crowd of over 11,000 passionate fans. Osaka dominated the first set, but Mboko’s fighting spirit ignited a comeback. She broke Osaka’s serve eight times on nine opportunities over the final two sets, displaying a mix of powerful baseline shots and timely drop shots that kept Osaka off balance. The match’s climax featured Mboko diving to retrieve a crucial ball, falling to the court but fighting to keep the rally alive and sealing her historic win.
Mboko said after the victory: “It’s been an incredible week here in Montreal. Montreal, je vous aime! I wanted to run and put as many balls back in the court as possible. I wanted it so badly that I think falling was a little bit worth it.” Her triumph electrified the home crowd and marked a pivotal moment in her young career.
Naomi Osaka, who was seeking her first title since 2021, appeared visibly emotional but congratulated Mboko, acknowledging the exceptional match they had played.
This victory not only doubles Mboko’s career prize money but also signals the arrival of a new Canadian talent on the global tennis stage, inspiring fans with her determination and skill. Her stunning run in Montreal is being hailed as one of the most remarkable breakthrough performances in women’s tennis this season.
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