Victoria Mboko stuns fans with a straight-set win in Montreal, advancing to the NBO semifinals after defeating Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Teenage Sensation Electrifies Montreal Crowd
Canada’s rising tennis star Victoria Mboko delivered another standout performance Monday night, defeating Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the National Bank Open (NBO) in Montreal. The 18-year-old from Toronto needed just 77 minutes to secure the straight-set victory in front of an energized home crowd, continuing a dream run in one of Canada’s most prestigious tennis tournaments.
Momentum Builds After Major Upset
The victory follows Mboko’s stunning upset of World No. 2 Coco Gauff two days prior, a win that catapulted her into the international spotlight. That match, which lasted just over an hour, proved Mboko could compete with the game’s elite. Her performance against Bouzas Maneiro confirmed it wasn’t a one-off. Although the first set saw both players struggle with unforced errors, Mboko’s resilience and powerful serving turned the tide.
A Historic Semifinal Appearance in Canada
Mboko’s run marks the first time a Canadian woman has reached the NBO semifinals since Bianca Andreescu’s title-winning campaign in 2019. She also becomes the youngest woman to make the final four since Belinda Bencic did so a decade ago. The WTA 1000 event, held annually in alternating cities between Montreal and Toronto, has become a key stop on the women’s professional tennis calendar.
Rising Rankings and National Attention
With this win, Mboko—who started the year ranked outside the top 300—is projected to break into the WTA’s top 55. Her 2025 season has included a 22-match win streak, five ITF titles, and main-draw appearances at both the French Open and Wimbledon. Her current record against higher-ranked players stands at an impressive 25-8. Canadian tennis fans, still searching for a new face since Andreescu’s injury struggles, may have found their next star.
Backed by Grit and Power
Speaking after the match, Mboko attributed her victory to “pure fight-or-flight instincts.” After a slow start to the second set, she broke back quickly, winning six consecutive games to close out the match. “I really wanted to do the best I could to break her back, and I did everything in my power to stay in there and match her,” she told reporters. The win capped off a dominant performance in front of a packed stadium buzzing with national pride.
Next Challenge: Elena Rybakina Awaits
Mboko now faces ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in Wednesday’s semifinal. Rybakina advanced after her opponent, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, retired due to injury. The matchup will test Mboko’s endurance and adaptability as she continues her first deep run in a WTA 1000 tournament. But if recent performances are any indication, she’s ready to keep pushing boundaries.
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