Mboko wins first WTA title in Montreal

Canada's 18-year-old Victoria Mboko wins her first WTA title at the Canadian Open in Montreal by defeating Naomi Osaka in the final.

Mboko wins first WTA title in Montreal

Victoria Mboko, 18, won her first WTA title at the Canadian Open in Montreal, beating Naomi Osaka in the final after a comeback. The match finished 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in 2 hours and 4 minutes in front of about 11,000 fans at Centre Court. Mboko converted eight of nine break chances and earned her fourth win of the week over a Grand Slam champion.

Mboko had earlier undergone an MRI for pain in her right wrist before the final. Osaka, the former world No 1, dominated the first set, but Mboko fought back and pulled away in the final set. The victory lifts Mboko to around 34 in the world. She will skip the Cincinnati Open, while Osaka continues there as preparation for the US Open.

This is a watershed moment for Mboko and for Canadian tennis. An 18-year-old who started the season outside the top 300 bursts into the spotlight by beating a former No 1 on home soil. The win reshapes expectations around Mboko and adds a fresh narrative to the sport in Canada. It also repositions Osaka not just as a legend facing a rising challenger but as an opponent who can be pushed by new talents.

Sustaining momentum will test Mboko with pressure and attention. If she can build on this breakthrough, the win could attract sponsorship and inspire a new generation of players, but the path ahead will demand discipline, resilience and smart scheduling as she climbs the rankings.

Highlights

A new chapter begins for a player who seems unafraid to dream big.