Victoria Mboko, the 18-year-old tennis sensation from Canada, has made her mark in the 2025 Miami Open by achieving her first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) victory. This triumph comes after her remarkable performance at the ITF level where she showcased a 27-1 run this season.
Mboko, who entered the tournament as a wild card, faced a stiff challenge from Camila Osorio in the opening round. The match, which lasted for over two and a half hours, saw the young prodigy come out victorious with a score of 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. This victory not only marked Mboko’s first WTA win but also her first triumph over a top-100 player.
Starting off, the Canadian tennis player showed her skill and determination by claiming one point more than her Colombian opponent. Despite her service being broken six times, Mboko managed to generate 18 break opportunities. Of these, she capitalized on eight, three of which came in the deciding set, propelling her to the second round.
The match was a true testament to Mboko’s tenacity and strength. After denying break points in the second game, she attacked in the third, generating three break points with a backhand winner. This put her at a 2-1 lead. Later, in the seventh game, she broke again, advancing her lead to 5-2.
However, the game was not without its challenges. Despite having set points in the eighth game, she lost her serve. Another set point was squandered at 5-4, bringing the score back to 5-5. However, displaying remarkable composure, Mboko forced an error from her opponent in the 11th game, leading to a break and a 6-5 lead. She successfully served for the set in the 12th game, winning it 7-5. The second set was a more fluid affair with only one game reaching deuces.
The third set opened with both players trading four breaks, keeping the score close. However, after a series of holds, Osorio managed to close the 11th game and pushed for a return in the next. The Colombian was able to convert a volley winner into three set points, winning the second set 7-5 and forcing a deciding set.
The final set saw a determined Mboko. After denying three break points in the first game, she broke Osorio in the third game, gaining an early advantage. Despite missing a break point in the fifth game, she pushed on, holding after a deuce for a 3-1 lead.
The sixth game saw the experienced Osorio pull back a break, locking the score at 3-3. However, this did not deter Mboko. She started anew, landing a forehand drive-volley winner in the seventh game. This lead to three break chances, one of which she converted, moving her to a 4-3 lead.
In the final stages, Mboko kept the pressure on Osorio, securing a powerful serve in the eighth game. Finally, she painted a backhand down the line winner in the ninth game, earning her match point. After seizing it, she celebrated her first WTA victory.
This win has firmly placed Victoria Mboko in the spotlight as she continues to impress with her talent and determination. The world of tennis is undoubtedly watching this rising star closely.