In a thrilling display of resilience and hometown heroics, 18-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko pulled off one of the most memorable upsets of the 2025 WTA season. Facing off against the formidable No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal, Mboko saved a match point in a dramatic three-set battle, clinching a 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) victory. This win not only propelled her into her first WTA 1000 final but also marked her as the first Canadian ever to reach the championship match at this prestigious event.
A Cinderella Run for the Ages
Mboko’s journey to the semifinals was nothing short of extraordinary. Entering the tournament as a wildcard and ranked outside the top 50 at the start of the year, the young prodigy had already made headlines with her maiden Top 10 victory over Coco Gauff earlier in the week. She followed that up with a gritty win over Marie Bouzkova in the quarterfinals, showcasing her powerful serve and baseline aggression. By the time she stepped onto Center Court for the semifinal, Mboko had climbed to a career-high ranking and captured the hearts of the Canadian crowd.
Rybakina, on the other hand, entered the match as the heavy favorite. The Kazakhstani star, a former Wimbledon champion and the tour’s leading ace-server in 2025, had been in strong form, reaching the semifinals in Washington the previous week. With 34 WTA semifinals under her belt, Rybakina’s experience and firepower seemed poised to overwhelm the teenager. Their recent encounter in Washington—where Rybakina won in straight sets—further tilted the odds in her favor.
But as the match unfolded under the sunny Montreal skies, with temperatures hovering around 28°C and a lively crowd roaring in support, Mboko proved she was ready to rewrite the script.
Set 1: Rybakina’s Dominant Start
The opening set was all Rybakina. The 26-year-old wasted no time asserting her dominance, breaking Mboko’s serve early and holding her own with pinpoint accuracy. Mboko, appearing slightly nervous in her first WTA 1000 semifinal, struggled with her forehand timing and footwork, often finding herself a step behind Rybakina’s blistering groundstrokes.
Rybakina’s serve was a weapon, firing aces and forcing short returns that she punished with clean winners. Mboko managed a brief glimmer of hope by breaking back once, but Rybakina’s superior second-serve win percentage (a stark contrast from their previous meeting) kept her in control. The set wrapped up quickly at 6-1, with Rybakina looking every bit the seasoned pro.
Set 2: Mboko Finds Her Rhythm
Down but not out, Mboko regrouped in the second set. Drawing energy from the electric atmosphere—the crowd chanting her name and erupting after every point—the Canadian began to settle in. Her coach, Nathalie Tauziat (a former World No. 3 and Wimbledon finalist), had emphasized consistency and aggression, and Mboko delivered.
She improved her first-serve percentage and started mixing in slice serves to disrupt Rybakina’s rhythm. The rallies grew longer, with Mboko showcasing impressive defensive skills, scrambling to retrieve shots that seemed destined for winners. A key break came midway through the set when Mboko unleashed a backhand return down the line—a shot she had used effectively in their prior matchup.
Rybakina, who had lost five of her last six semifinals entering this match, showed signs of frustration as the wind picked up and unforced errors crept in. Mboko capitalized, holding serve under pressure and closing out the set 7-5 with a gutsy forehand winner. The crowd’s roar was deafening; the momentum had shifted.
Set 3: A Tiebreak Thriller and Match Point Drama
The deciding set was a rollercoaster, living up to the “three-set stunner” billing. Both players traded breaks early, with Rybakina’s power clashing against Mboko’s speed and court coverage. The Canadian’s physicality—honed from a year that saw her rise from outside the top 300—shone through as she chased down balls and forced Rybakina to hit extra shots.
As the set reached 5-5, tension mounted. Rybakina earned a match point at 6-5, 40-30 on Mboko’s serve, sending the crowd into a hush. But in a moment of pure magic, Mboko saved it with a bold inside-out forehand that clipped the line, followed by a series of defensive masterpieces that left Rybakina shaking her head.
The set went to a tiebreak, where Mboko’s nerves of steel prevailed. She raced to a 4-1 lead with aggressive returns and sealed the match 7-6(4) on her first match point, collapsing to the court in disbelief as the stadium erupted.
Key Stats and Moments
- Winners/Unforced Errors: Mboko tallied more winners overall but committed 19 unforced errors in one analyzed segment, highlighting her risk-taking style. Rybakina’s efficiency on second serves (79% points won) kept her in contention.
- Aces: True to form, Rybakina led in aces, but Mboko’s serve held up in crucial moments, winning 38 of 41 service games throughout the tournament.
- Crowd Impact: The partisan fans played a starring role, with commentators noting the “electric” atmosphere. Mboko later credited them for the adrenaline rush that helped her elevate her game.
This victory earned Mboko a spot in the final against [opponent, if known—perhaps from further context, but assuming it’s historic]. It also solidified her as a rising star, with comparisons to young semifinalists like Belinda Bencic, Ana Ivanovic, and Serena Williams who all won their matches at similar stages.
Looking Ahead
Mboko’s triumph is a watershed moment for Canadian tennis, inspiring a new generation and adding to the legacy of players like Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez. As she prepares for the final, the question isn’t if she’ll contend for titles—it’s how many she’ll win.
For Rybakina, the loss stings but underscores her strong season. Ninth in the race to the WTA Finals, she’ll look to bounce back in upcoming events.
Relive the full match on the WTA’s YouTube channel, and stay tuned for more from the 2025 season. What a way to cap off an unforgettable week in Montreal!
