In a stunning display of resilience, grit, and raw talent, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko etched her name into Canadian tennis history by defeating former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, 2–6, 6–4, 6–1, to claim the women’s singles title at the 2025 National Bank Open—commonly known as the Canadian Open—held this week in Montreal.
A career-defining breakthrough
Entering the tournament as a wildcard ranked world No. 85, Mboko’s status seemed modest compared to the storied résumé of Osaka—a four-time Grand Slam champion. Yet, what followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Her path to the final featured monumental victories over Grand Slam champions Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina—displaying a level of composure and athletic prowess rare in someone so young.
Her astonishing streak marked her as the second-youngest player in the Open Era to defeat four Grand Slam winners in a single tournament—second only to Serena Williams at the 1999 US Open.
The final: a match of contrasts and comebacks
Osaka seized control early, exploiting 22 unforced errors and Mboko’s nerves to take the first set decisively, 6–2. But Mboko—known for her resilience—clawed back in the second set, breaking serve four times and capitalizing on her nine break-point chances, ultimately winning 6–4.
The third set saw Mboko ascend to dominance, though she battled through a visibly swollen wrist—injured in her semifinal clash against Rybakina the previous day—and rugged first-serve struggles. Despite a flood of 13 double faults, she harnessed her energy into near-flawless aggression, earning a commanding 6–1 finish and prompting a capacity, raucous Montreal crowd to erupt in euphoria.
A moment for the history books
With this victory, Mboko joins compatriots Faye Urban (1969) and Bianca Andreescu (2019) as the only Canadian women to triumph at their home Opener in the Open Era. Significantly, she is the first to conquer the tournament in Montreal.
She also becomes only the third wildcard ever to win a WTA 1000 title—joining elite company of Maria Sharapova (2011 Cincinnati) and Bianca Andreescu (2019 Indian Wells).
Before this tournament, she was ranked 333rd at the start of 2025—a meteoric climb that now sees her leap to approximately world No. 25 (or No. 24 according to some updates).
Emotion, celebration, and a burst of national pride
Celebrating wildly, Mboko dropped to her knees as Osaka’s final shot drifted long. She then embraced her family and coaches courtside, while Montreal’s IGA Stadium roared with excitement.
“This has been an incredible week,” she said at the trophy presentation. “Montreal, je vous aime!”
Osaka’s response was notably muted—she said she “completely forgot to congratulate her on the court,” though she acknowledged Mboko’s performance.
Looking ahead
Beyond the confetti, Mboko’s victory has reshaped her trajectory. Her ranking has surged, her visibility is global, and with the US Open just around the corner (starting August 24), all eyes are on the young Canadian’s next chapter.
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Victoria Mboko’s triumph in Montreal is more than a title—it’s a coming-of-age moment. In just a few weeks, she has leapt from relative obscurity to international stardom. With her bold style, unwavering resilience, and now a prestigious WTA crown under her belt, the future of this remarkable teenager promises to be as electrifying a
s the run that brought her here.
