MONTREAL — A saved match point. Two breaks while her opponent served for the win. A fearless comeback from a set down against a Grand Slam champion.
Victoria Mboko’s historic climb reached new heights in an instant classic on Wednesday.
The teenage sensation is heading to the National Bank Open’s final after an epic, nail-biting turnaround to defeat Elena Rybakina 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) -- the latest chapter in a coming-out party that has captivated fans across Canada.
Mboko dropped her head into her palms in disbelief after Rybakina struck a forehand long on match point as an electric sold-out crowd — lined with “Allez Vicky” signs for Canada’s newest tennis star — erupted on IGA Stadium’s centre court.
"Incredible match, thank you to everyone for supporting me," Mboko told the crowd in French. "It was really difficult, but anything can happen."
The 18-year-old from Toronto, who was born in Charlotte, N.C., to Congolese parents, saved a match point while down 5-4 in the third set before breaking the ninth-seeded Rybakina’s world-class serve twice to force the tiebreaker in the two-hour, 46-minute match — the longest of Mboko's young WTA career.
Mboko also battled through a wrist injury after stumbling awkwardly to the ground in the third set’s second game. She rallied to take a 2-1 lead before her medical team wrapped her wrist up in a bandage.
"But I had everyone supporting me and pushing me through," she said during her on-court interview. "Without you guys, I don’t think I would have been able to pull this through."
Mboko later told reporters that her wrist felt “a lot better” after the match, but in the moment, the fall almost crushed her spirits.
“She was playing really great tennis on top of that, but I'm happy that I kept my composure,” Mboko said. “I was patient in the right moments. I just feel really happy that I was able to bounce back after being down, even a match point, I think.”
Looking wise beyond her years, Mboko became the fourth Canadian woman -- and youngest -- to reach a final at the Canadian Open, and the latest since Bianca Andreescu's title run in 2019.
And with another win, she keeps rocketing up the rankings.
Mboko will now move up to at least 34th in the world rankings after beginning the year outside the top 300. That number could climb even higher after she plays four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in Thursday's final.
The unseeded Osaka defeated 16th-seeded Clara Tauson of Denmark 6-2, 7-6 (7) in Wednesday's late semifinal.
Mboko improved to 52-9 in all competitions this year, including 26-8 against higher-ranked players.
Rybakina, a former world No. 3 and Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan, was responsible for one of those losses after beating Mboko 6-3, 7-5 in the D.C. Open’s second round on July 23.
This time, Mboko exacted revenge in jaw-dropping fashion.
After Mboko failed to hold serve once in a lopsided opening set, the Canadian refound her form in the second -- flashing her powerful backhand -- to force a decisive third.
Leading 5-4 and serving for the match, Rybakina took a 40-30 advantage with two massive forehand winners to set up match point. Mboko, however, rallied back with two powerful returns that Rybakina struggled to handle.
In the ensuing game, Mboko double-faulted, struck a backhand into the net and double-faulted again in succession as Rybakina broke back and took a 6-5 lead in the set.
But once again, Mboko battled, winning four consecutive points against the hard-hitting Rybakina’s serve.
Rybakina tied the tiebreak 4-4 after winning a 25-shot rally, one where Mboko valiantly defended and seemed to chase down every ball until losing the point.
From then on, the rising star won out.
Mboko cranked a forehand winner along the line to grab a 5-4 lead, then Rybakina’s backhand sailed wide to set up the improbable victory.
And out came a chorus of "Olé, Olé, Olé" chants.
“Playing in front of the home crowd obviously has its advantages,” Mboko said. “You always have everyone pumping you up as much as they can. It really pulls me through in the tough moments where I'm maybe not as positive.
“Really blessed to have that kind of support.”
Local favourite Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, was the crowd favourite early after announcing she would retire following her hometown tournament.
But once Bouchard exited in the second round, Mboko jumped into the spotlight, grabbing the torch and taking centre court under the bright lights as the only Canadian — man or woman — to advance past the third round in singles. Even her daily practice sessions draw a crowd of fans and cameras.
The energy on Wednesday was palpable, a buzz around the stadium from the very beginning — even as spectators trickled in late due to a 6 p.m. start.
When Mboko rushed to the net and struck consecutive backhand winners down the line en route to winning the second set, the fans erupted out of their seats and chanted “Vick-y! Vick-y! Vick-y!”
It only grew louder from there. Late in the third set, the crowd was so into it that it cheered when Rybakina faulted on her first serve.
“That wasn't nice,” Rybakina said. “I played in a lot of situations where the crowd was supporting the player, but I would say that here it was pretty tough from the very beginning. I already felt it from the first game we played, and especially when it's in between the serves. It is what it is.”
As for her opponent, Rybakina gave full credit.
“I knew that she was a tough opponent,” the experienced 26-year-old said. “She served really well in these important moments.
“It was a very close match, like a big fight. So it could go any way, but it went hers.”
Mboko won despite committing 11 double-faults — compared to one for Rybakina — and winning only 35 per cent of her points on second service.
After two injury-plagued seasons, her rapid rise started with a 22-match — and 43-set — unbeaten streak on the lower-tier ITF Tour and continued with a run through qualifying to the French Open’s third round in her first career Grand Slam. Mboko then upset No. 25 seed Magdalena Frech in the first round at Wimbledon.
Her play is hitting another level with upset after upset before a Canadian audience in Montreal, including a dominant 62-minute win in the fourth round over world No. 2 Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Next up, a chance to win her first WTA title at home.
“I have the opportunity to lift that beautiful trophy, but I still have one match to go,” Mboko said. “I'm always focused on the present moment. I don't really focus on the end, but it's obviously a vision I would like to see. That's what I'm playing for.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
