
via Imago
Image Credits: Imago

via Imago
Image Credits: Imago
Teenage sensation Victoria Mboko is going from strength to strength this season. Ever since she first appeared in Miami earlier this season, the 18-year-old has continued to impress. After making it to the third round of the French Open, Mboko has now come back from the brink of defeat against a formidable rival, only to set up a match against one of the best in the world in Coco Gauff.
Mboko was struggling in the encounter against Czechia’s Marie Bouzkova in Montreal. In this R32 battle, the latter was cruising after snatching the first set. But then, the Canadian lifted her spirits and made a phenomenal return. She not only leveled the match in the second set but also went on to have a bagel against Bouzkova in the decider, beating her with a scoreline of 1-6, 6-3, 6-0. With that, she’s earned her best run in a WTA 1000 event, being in the fourth round now in Montreal. Next up, she will face none other than American icon and 2025 French Open queen Coco Gauff in R16.
After the match, Mboko made her feelings clear on her comeback against Bouzkova. “I feel like I had a really shaky start and I wanted to go to the bathroom to reset and take my time. I wanted to come into the next set with a different mentality, and I mean, it helped a little bit.” Moreover, she expressed utmost happiness after entering the fourth round. “This is my second nighttime match, but I am just so excited to be here and to advance to the next round. This is the furthest I’ve gone in a 1000, it’s so exciting.”
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“This is the furthest I’ve gone in a 1000, it’s so exciting.”
Victoria Mboko is thrilled to be moving on at #OBN25 pic.twitter.com/GJTOsuXAVs
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 1, 2025
Mboko has also become the youngest Canadian player, at 18 years and 336 days, to reach the R16 at the Canadian Open. Helen Kelesi was the last player to achieve this feat. At 18 years and 273 days, she entered the fourth round during 1988’s edition. Speaking more of Mboko, she was ranked outside of top 300 at this point more than a year ago. But now, she’s broken into the top 100, sitting in the 85th position. That’s a remarkable jump to say the least. But do you know what else is remarkable about this teenager?
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Victoria Mboko mirrors rare milestone by Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek
Against Bouzkova, Victoria Mboko didn’t look back after snatching the second set. She simply dominated the Czechian. So much so that the Canadian ended up hitting 32 winners compared to 16 by her opponent. With her latest victory in Montreal, Mboko has also achieved a rare distinction at the WTA 1000 tournament.
She’s now become just the fifth 18-year-old player to reach the R16 at the Canadian Open in the last 10 years. Before her, the female stars who have done it are Belinda Bencic, Catherine Cartan Bellis, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. The World No. 2, who beat Veronika Kudermetova, is going to be her opponent in the next round.
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Interestingly, Gauff admires Mboko, too. After her opening match victory in Montreal this week, the 21-year-old American commented, “She’s definitely playing like one of the top players in the world right now. ” “Her ranking will definitely match that soon,” she concluded.
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What’s your perspective on:
Can Victoria Mboko dethrone Coco Gauff, or is the American icon too formidable a challenge?
Have an interesting take?
Speaking of their upcoming matchup, Gauff may have a slight edge over Mboko. How? In their only meeting so far during the Italian Open, the American was able to fight back after losing the first set to the teenager. Gauff eventually won that encounter with a score line of 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Will Mboko take her sweet revenge this time?
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Can Victoria Mboko dethrone Coco Gauff, or is the American icon too formidable a challenge?