Canada’s rising tennis star Victoria Mboko exits the U.S. Open after a first-round loss to Barbora Krejcikova, while Gabriel Diallo advances.
Victoria Mboko’s U.S. Open Debut Ends in First Round
A tough first test in New York
Canadian tennis sensation Victoria Mboko saw her U.S. Open debut end early after a straight-sets loss to Czech star Barbora Krejcikova on Monday. The 18-year-old from Toronto, seeded 22nd in the tournament, was defeated 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 23 minutes at Flushing Meadows.
Facing a decorated opponent
Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam champion and the reigning Wimbledon titleholder, opened the match with an early break and maintained control throughout. Mboko acknowledged the challenge, saying, “Barbora has a very unique style of play. She’s a smart player on court, and I felt like I was rushing myself.”
Momentum after Montreal triumph
The loss comes just weeks after Mboko captured her first WTA title at the National Bank Open in Montreal, a victory that propelled her world ranking from 348 last year to 24th entering the U.S. Open. Despite the setback, she emphasized the long-term view of her career: “I feel like this is the start of a long journey.”
An injury concern lingers
Mboko’s right wrist, taped heavily during the match, appeared to trouble her. She revealed she had fallen on it during the Montreal semifinals and continued to feel discomfort. “I just taped it up for the U.S. Open to keep it stable,” she explained, noting her focus now shifts to recovery before the Asian tournament swing.
Canadian pride continues with Diallo
While Mboko exited the tournament, Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo advanced to the second round with a four-set victory over Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur. The 31st seed will next face Spain’s Jaume Munar on Wednesday.
Looking ahead
For Mboko, the early exit underscores both the challenges and promise of her rising career. At just 18, her U.S. Open debut against one of the game’s most experienced players is viewed less as a setback and more as a learning step. “I’m always open to grow and learn from mistakes,” she said, “and take this as a learning opportunity.”
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