A new star has emerged in the women's tennis game off the back of the 2025 Canadian Open.
18-year-old star Victoria Mboko capped off a brilliant run at the Masters 1000 event by beating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the final on Thursday night (August 7) in Montreal.
With the crowd fully behind her, the Canadian fought back to claim a 2-6 6-4 6-1 victory over her Japanese opponent and secure what was her very first WTA Tour title.
The win came despite Mboko having troubles with her serve, as she committed 13 double faults throughout the contest.
It was also a match that saw both players struggle to hold serve, with the champion being broken six times and Osaka on eight occasions.
Mboko's run to the final included the beating of top seed and two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff, former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina and previous Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.
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The teenager's triumph represents a mammoth change for her over just this year alone, as she began 2025 ranked no. 333 in the world.
Now, Mboko can expect to climb up to 34th place in the women's standings.
Mboko's reaction to her stunning win in Montreal
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Post-match, Mboko could not contain her delight at overcoming Osaka and winning the Montreal Masters in front of a home crowd.
"I would have never thought that I would have made it to the final, let alone win the tournament. I have so many emotions going through my head, I can't even express it, " the teenager said.
"When I had that winning moment and seeing so many people standing up and cheering for me, it was kind of a surreal experience."
After proving she can beat the world's best on the court at a 1000 level event, Mboko will be tipped for similar success at the US Open later this month.
However, the Canadian breakout star is keen to not put too much pressure on herself to perform as the same level at Flushing Meadows.
"I'll be playing it for the first time (the US Open), so there's a lot of new beginnings for me."
"I think along the way it's obviously going to be an up-and-down journey, but I just want to enjoy the process as much as possible."
Mboko will not have long to take in her special win in Montreal as she is scheduled to play her first round match at the Cincinnati Open on Saturday (August 9) against Diana Shnaider.
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