Mboko wins Canadian Open

18-year-old Victoria Mboko captures her first WTA title in Montreal by defeating Naomi Osaka in a dramatic final.

Mboko Wins Canadian Open Title at 18

Victoria Mboko, 18, claimed her first WTA Tour title by beating Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the Canadian Open final in Montreal before more than 11,000 fans. Mboko fought through a wrist issue and a tough start, turning the match with a powerful backhand and steady nerves to finish strong in the third set. The victory came as she rose from outside the top 350 at the end of last year to world No. 25 after this breakthrough run, marking a rapid ascent on the sport’s biggest stages.

Mboko’s path to the title included wins over several high‑profile rivals, including world No. 2 Coco Gauff and Sofia Kenin, plus her semifinal upset of Elena Rybakina. Osaka, who has faced a difficult return to form, showed emotion in defeat but remained competitive throughout and credited the experience of reaching the final. Mboko’s wildcard entry and dominant end to the match underscored a broader breakout for a player who has spent the year winning consistently on the pro tour’s upper tiers.

Mboko’s win signals a shift in who can emerge from the deep field to prize‑fight on big stages. It is not a fairy tale so much as a calculated climb: relentless results on the tour’s second and third tiers, followed by composure against top players when the pressure is highest. The Montreal final also highlights how younger players are converging with established champions, aided by powerful games and mental resilience. Osaka’s performance illustrates the ongoing challenge veterans face when the finish line remains elusive and every match carries a different kind of pressure.

For Canadian tennis, the victory is a milestone that could attract more local attention and investment. Mboko’s rise invites a longer conversation about development pathways, wildcard opportunities, and the role of home crowds in shaping a player’s confidence. If she stays healthy and hungry, this is less a single night of magic and more the start of a sustained ascent.

Highlights

The win marks the opening chapter of a likely longer run for Mboko on the global stage.