Canadian tennis star Victoria Mboko is headed to her first National Bank Open final after winning the semi-finals against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
At just 18 years old, Mboko has become the talk of the tournament, defeating three Grand Slam champions in the same event.
Now, she’s set to face off against Japanese tennis icon Naomi Osaka in Thursday’s final in Montreal.
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mboko was raised in Toronto, where her Congolese family settled and introduced her to tennis. She is the youngest of four siblings, all of whom played the sport.
In yesterday’s match, the Canadian looked overwhelmed in the early stages, dropping the first set quickly and struggling to find her rhythm.
But with a packed home crowd behind her, Mboko dug deep—battling through nerves, pain, and pressure—to turn the match around and win in a three-set upset, sending the stadium into a frenzy.
She even played through an injury scare, slipping in the third set and hurting her wrist. But instead of backing down, Mboko powered forward and won the match.
Mboko’s dream run has captivated fans both inside the stadium and online. As crowds in Montreal packed IGA Stadium waving Canadian flags, and signs that said “ALLEZ VICKY!” while chanting her name, social media erupted with admiration for the teen’s grit and rising star power.
“I honestly hadn’t seen a crowd like this for a tennis match before, specially at a place like that. She’s got that bit of magic that makes her really special. And the Canadian media is all swept up in it. I hope she goes on to have a wonderful career,” a user on Reddit said.
“Another ultra-inspired win from Mboko. I thought she was a goner–but she didn’t allow herself to lose. Her fighting spirit is extraordinary. What a dream run. Looks like she’s getting Osaka tomorrow and that will be the hardest challenge of all, by far. Win or lose in the final, a new star has arrived and the sky’s the limit,” another user said.
“What a Star! She’s going to be the new face of women’s tennis in the next couple of years and she’s only rising! So mentally tough and athletic,” a user commented.
“Seems like every few years we have another budding tennis star coming up. Tennis Canada has had a lot to brag about in recent years,” a user said.
Mboko began the season ranked outside the top 300 and came into this tournament sitting at No. 85. Regardless of how she finishes in Thursday’s final, her remarkable run in Montreal has already guaranteed her a spot inside the top 40.
