Home SPORTS Victoria Mboko Stuns Naomi Osaka to Win WTA 1000 Title in Montreal

Victoria Mboko Stuns Naomi Osaka to Win WTA 1000 Title in Montreal

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Victoria Mboko
Wildcard Victoria Mboko defeats Naomi Osaka to claim the WTA Montreal title


Victoria Mboko wins WTA 1000 title in Montreal, defeating Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. The 18-year-old Canadian's victory propels her to 34th in the world rankings.

“I think it just proves that your dreams are closer than you think they are...”


Victoria Mboko defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, claiming her first WTA title at the Canadian Open. The 18-year-old Canadian teenager ended Osaka's bid for her first tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open.


Mboko's victory marked a fairytale run in her first WTA final, as she wore down the 27-year-old Osaka, who has struggled with consistency since returning from maternity leave in early 2024.




Mboko's win is expected to catapult her to 34th in the world rankings, a remarkable rise from 85th entering the week and outside the top 300 at the start of the season. On center court, Mboko converted eight of nine break points, securing her fourth win of the week over a Grand Slam champion.


Her dominant performance on big points and impressive display against Osaka showcased her potential as a rising star in women's tennis.


Mboko's impressive run included victories over notable opponents, such as former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the second round and reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round. She also saved a match point to defeat former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.




“It feels unbelievable right now,” Mboko said, struggling to put her emotions into words. “Words cannot really describe how the day went.”


The week began with concern over an MRI for her right wrist, injured in the semifinals, but ended with Mboko triumphing in a comeback victory over childhood hero Naomi Osaka, culminating in a standing ovation from adoring fans.


“I think when I had that winning moment and seeing so many people standing up and cheering for me, it was kind of a surreal experience,” Mboko said. “I would never have thought that something like this would have come so suddenly.


“I think it just proves that your dreams are closer than you think they are.”


Osaka dominated the first set with vintage power and precision, giving Mboko little room to maneuver. She gained an early break, taking a 3-0 lead, and sealed the set when Mboko's serve faltered again, with the teenager accumulating 22 unforced errors in the set, including two forehand mishits.


The second set was marked by intense action, with seven total breaks of serve. Mboko gained momentum, ramping up the pressure and leaving Osaka bewildered. She broke Osaka at love for a 5-2 lead but struggled to serve out the set, committing three double faults and allowing Osaka to break back. Osaka held at love to stay in the match, but Mboko seized the next opportunity, closing out the set when Osaka's forehand sailed long on set point.


Third Set Dominance

Osaka's frustration grew in the third set, particularly in the third game, where she received a warning for hitting a ball into the air after missing her first serve on break point. She ultimately surrendered the game with another forehand error, and Mboko went on to win five straight games, taking control of the match.




Both players struggled to find winners, and Mboko's determination paid off as she saved four break points to hold for a 3-1 lead, leaving Osaka with a daunting task. Ultimately, Osaka's efforts fell short, and when she hit a backhand into the net on match point, Mboko celebrated with a dramatic drop to the court, as the crowd, who had chanted “Allez Vicky” throughout, erupted in a final, thunderous ovation.




Osaka, ranked 49th in the world, had shown renewed energy in Montreal following a coaching change, but she couldn't sustain her momentum as Mboko pulled away for the win. Despite her disappointment, Osaka reflected on the experience positively. “It's kind of funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don't know why my emotions flipped so quickly, but I'm happy to have played in the final,” she said.


While Mboko will miss the Cincinnati Open, which began on Thursday, Osaka is set to play in the tournament as a final preparation for the US Open, where she'll look to build on her momentum.




“I felt like I could have played better, but I'm not really sure which aspect... it's going to be interesting to see what my next match is and how I'm going to play.”





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