Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Montreal Finalists Victoria Mboko, Naomi Osaka Withdraw from 2025 WTA Cincinnati Masters

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

National Bank Open 2025 champion Victoria Mboko and runner-up Naomi Osaka have withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, which started on Thursday. The Canadian teenager was supposed to face Diana Shnaider in Round 2 but she made a decision to withdraw from the 1000 Masters event. Both players made this final call for staying fresh at US Open which is starting from August 24.

Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka have both pulled out of Cincinnati.

Smart decision ahead of the U.S. Open.

Time to rest & recover.

🇨🇦🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/rElfZbvn1o
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 8, 2025

Also Read: Who is Victoria Mboko – The Canadian Teen Sensation who won the National Bank Open Title?

Why Mboko, Osaka Decided to Skip Cincinnati Open? Who Will Replace Them?

Victoria Mboko recently made headlines after a remarkable campaign as wild card in Montreal where she won her first WTA tour title. The 18-year-old beat four Grand Slam champions en route to a memorable title in front of the home crowd. Mboko will now skip the Cincinnati Open citing a left wrist injury. The teenager will now focus on the recovery ahead of the US Open.

“I’m going to take care of my wrist,” Mboko spoke to wtatennis.com in her Champions Corner interview on Thursday. “Just do some prevention and recovery and prepare for what’s to come.”

The winning moment ✨

Victoria Mboko captures her first WTA title in Montreal, defeating Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.#OBN25 pic.twitter.com/OveLB47YMZ
— wta (@WTA) August 8, 2025

On the other hand, Naomi Osaka cited a change of schedule for making withdrawal from the Cincinnati Masters 2025. The Japanese ace lost a hard-fought final to Mboko in Montreal after winning the opening set. Osaka made into the WTA event finals after long time but couldn’t hold the pressure. Later, a controversary also evolved as she forgot to congratulate Mboko on court presentation. She revealed reason for not congratulating Canadian ace Amid Backlash at National Bank Open 2025.

Both players were unseeded in Cincinnati Open where Aryna Sabalenka also made comeback after missing a couple of hard-court events since Wimbledon. Mboko and Osaka received performance byes into the second round due to reaching the Montreal final. Now, the lucky losers from qualifying event will get a chance to replace both stars.

Either Cristina Bucsa or Yuan Yue will now replace Mboko to face No. 14 seed Diana Shnaider. The winner from Solana Sierra vs. Iva Jovic will replace Osaka to take on No. 20 seed Linda Noskova. Both matches are scheduled last on Friday’s order of play.

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Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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