Victoria Mboko Stuns Naomi Osaka to Capture National Bank Open Title in Montreal
Victoria Mboko’s meteoric rise reached new heights on Thursday night as the 18-year-old Canadian battled through a painful wrist injury to defeat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the National Bank Open final. The victory capped an unforgettable run that has electrified tennis fans across Canada.
A Historic Victory for Canadian Tennis
When Osaka’s final shot hit the net, Mboko dropped to her knees on IGA Stadium’s centre court as the crowd erupted in deafening celebration. The atmosphere was so intense that the chair umpire repeatedly reminded fans to remain quiet during points.
After securing her first-ever WTA title — and at a prestigious 1000-level tournament — Mboko raced to embrace her family and coaching team. The Toronto native became only the third Canadian to win this event in the Open Era, joining Bianca Andreescu (2019) and Faye Urban (1969). She is the first to do it in Montreal.
“It’s been an incredible week here in Montreal. Montreal, je vous aime!” Mboko told the crowd during the trophy ceremony.
A Meteoric Rise in the Rankings
Starting the year ranked outside the top 300, Mboko entered the tournament at No. 85. With this victory, she will leap to 25th in the WTA singles rankings — a remarkable climb in just eight months. Her record this season now stands at 53 wins and 9 losses, including a stellar 27-8 against higher-ranked opponents.
The triumph also earned her $752,275 USD, more than doubling her total career earnings before the event.
The Final: From Set Down to Champion
The match began with Osaka dominating the first set, capitalizing on her powerful serve and clean shot-making. Mboko, visibly nursing her wrist, struggled with her first-serve speed — dropping from her usual 180 km/h to just 120 — and committed 13 double faults.
However, the momentum shifted in the second set as Osaka’s errors mounted. Mboko seized eight of nine break-point chances in the final two sets, breaking the Japanese star repeatedly in a match that saw 14 service breaks in just 25 games.
The defining moment came in the final game. Down 40-15 on Osaka’s serve, Mboko charged the net to scoop up a delicate shot and place it deep into the open court, igniting the Montreal crowd. A blistering forehand winner and a long miss from Osaka set up match point, which Mboko converted without hesitation.
A Path of Champions Defeated
Mboko’s road to the final was as thrilling as the title match itself. She made headlines in the semifinals with a dramatic 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) comeback over former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina — saving a match point and playing through visible wrist discomfort.
Earlier in the tournament, Mboko toppled 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and world No. 2 Coco Gauff, dismantling the top seed in just 62 minutes in the fourth round.
By Thursday night, she had achieved something no Canadian woman had ever done in the Open Era: defeat four former Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event.
Osaka’s Struggle in a Hostile Arena
Osaka, chasing her eighth career title and her first since the 2021 Australian Open, looked untouchable in the opening set, never facing a break point. But the second and third sets told a different story, as unforced errors and missed first serves let Mboko take control.
The home crowd was firmly behind Mboko from the first serve, with chants of “Go Vicky!” echoing before Osaka had even struck a ball. When Osaka double-faulted early, fans roared with approval — a reaction that visibly frustrated the Japanese star. In the third set, Osaka’s frustration boiled over when she hit a ball into the stands after a fault.
A Star Is Born
Mboko’s performance in Montreal is more than just a tournament win — it’s a signal that Canadian tennis has a new star to rally behind. From battling injuries to conquering some of the sport’s biggest names, she proved she has both the skill and the resilience to compete at the highest level.
With her ranking surge, four top-tier scalps, and a hometown title, Victoria Mboko’s 2025 season has gone from promising to unforgettable — and it may just be the beginning.
SEO Keywords Targeted
-
Victoria Mboko National Bank Open win
-
Victoria Mboko vs Naomi Osaka final
-
Canadian tennis rising star
-
WTA Montreal 2025 champion
-
Naomi Osaka Montreal final loss
-
Victoria Mboko WTA ranking rise
-
Montreal tennis 1000-level event winner
0 Comments