Teenager Victoria Mboko showcased remarkable resilience to defeat Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), advancing to the final of the Canadian Open. The 18-year-old, currently ranked 85th in the world, saved a match point in front of enthusiastic home fans, making her the first Canadian to overcome three former Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event during the Open Era. Her victorious path includes wins over Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff, emphasizing her talent and determination.
“I had everyone supporting me and pushing me through. Without you guys, I don’t think I would’ve been able to pull this through,” Mboko stated after reaching her first WTA 1000 final. She is only the third wildcard to achieve this feat at the Canadian Open since Monica Seles in 1995 and Simona Halep in 2015.
In a related outcome, Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, marked her return to a WTA 1000 final after defeating Clara Tauson 6-2, 7-6(7) in the other semi-final. Osaka, now 27 and previously ranked world number one, is the first Japanese player to reach the final at the Canadian Open in the Open Era.
On the men’s side, the tournament saw a surprising turn as Alexander Zverev, the top seed, was eliminated by Karen Khachanov in a tense match that ended with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4). Khachanov, who saved a match point to advance, expressed relief after a challenging battle, remarking on the mental and physical demands of the match.
Khachanov will face 22-year-old Ben Shelton, who advanced after defeating Taylor Fritz, making Shelton the youngest American to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since Andy Roddick in 2004. Shelton discussed his desire to continue improving and highlighted the significant progress he’s made recently.
Overall, the Canadian Open is shaping up to be an exciting event with promising match-ups, particularly as Mboko and Osaka prepare for their final showdown, poised to capture the attention of tennis fans worldwide. The rising stars are making waves, showcasing the bright future of the sport.
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