Aug 7, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Victoria Mboko (CAN) tournament winner against Naomi Osaka (JPN) holds her trophy at IGA Stadium.

tennis

Rising Star Victoria Mboko Shatters Records in Historic National Bank Open 2025 Title Run

Canadian prodigy enters WTA Top-25 ahead of US Open 2025.

Aug 7, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Victoria Mboko (CAN) tournament winner against Naomi Osaka (JPN) holds her trophy at IGA Stadium.

Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko gave the home fans in Montreal a delightful evening on Thursday. The 18-year-old produced a comeback for the ages to defeat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6 6-4 6-1 in the final of the 2025 National Bank Open. The match created such a massive buzz that play had to be paused midway during the men’s final in Toronto, as the fans erupted in joy. But this victory means so much more than just a trophy for Mboko.

Off the court, Mboko is a polite conversationalist with reserved characteristics. Not too long ago at the Foro Italico, the Canadian was interrupted by loud laughter and chatter from another table, and instinctively apologised. But once she enters the court, there is no mercy from the prodigious talent. Mboko began the 2025 campaign at No. 333 in the world, and started her year with a 22-match unbeaten run on the ITF circuit. After winning the Canadian Open, her record stands at an unimaginable 54-9 in all competitions.

“When I had that winning moment and seeing so many people standing up and cheering for me, it was kind of a surreal experience,” said Mboko after capturing her first tour-level championship. “I would have never thought something like this would have come so suddenly. It just proves that your dreams are closer than they seem.” As the teen sensation prepares for the final stretch of the US Open swing, let’s look at the records she managed to shatter on Thursday.

Why Victoria Mboko’s Canadian Open Run is Extra Special

Youngest women in the Open Era to defeat four Grand Slam champions in a single tournament:

17 years 11 months – Serena Williams, US Open 1999
18 years 11 months – Victoria Mboko, Montreal 2025

HERSTORY. pic.twitter.com/JRYzv4oVs0
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 8, 2025

It seemed like a fairytale was being scripted on Centre Court – despite dropping the opener, Mboko looked unfazed. Matching Osaka stroke for stroke, the Canadian basically outhit her Japanese counterpart from the baseline. From time to time, she pulled out a flawless drop shot that would send the Montreal crowd into manic mode. After easing through the deciding set, Mboko dropped her racquet and fell to her knees in ecstasy.

Victoria Mboko is now just the second Canadian woman to win the National Bank Open singles crown, after Bianca Andreescu (Faye Urban won the Canadian Championships). With the win, Mboko will jump from the 85th spot to World No. 24, when the new rankings are released. As a result, she has secured a seeding at Flushing Meadows. The first woman since Andreescu to win her maiden tour-level title at a WTA-1000 event, Mboko is also the second youngest woman in the Open Era to beat four Grand Slam winners in the same event.

Allez Vicky! 🇨🇦#OBN25 pic.twitter.com/j7G9OL43Dc
— wta (@WTA) August 8, 2025

It may be early days, but the immense rise of young Victoria Mboko spells hope for the future of Canadian tennis. The focus now shifts to the Cincinnati Open 1000-event, before players head to New York for the US Open 2025.

(Image Credits: David Kirouac, Imagn Images)

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National Bank Open

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Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.