OSAKA — Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has stunned the tennis world with a remarkable comeback victory over former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, securing her place in the final of the Canadian Open where she will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.
The 17-year-old wildcard, ranked No. 298, fought back from a set and a break down to defeat Pliskova 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a thrilling semifinal that lasted over two hours. Mboko's fearless baseline aggression and mental resilience left the crowd in awe as she became the youngest Canadian Open finalist since Bianca Andreescu in 2019.
A Dream Run Continues
Mboko's fairytale week in Osaka has seen her defeat three top-50 opponents consecutively. Her path to the final included:
• A straight-sets upset over No. 32 seed Anhelina Kalinina
• A three-set thriller against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina
• The comeback victory over Pliskova, who held a 5-3 lead in the second set
"I just kept believing," Mboko said in her post-match interview. "When I was down, I told myself to stay calm and play my game. The crowd gave me so much energy - I could hear my family screaming after every point!" The Calgary native becomes the first Canadian teenager to reach a WTA 1000 final since Leylah Fernandez at the 2021 US Open.
Tactical Adjustments Pay Off
Down 4-6, 2-4, Mboko made crucial changes that turned the match:
• Increased first serve percentage from 48% to 72%
• Targeted Pliskova's backhand with heavy topspin
• Began attacking second serves aggressively
"She showed incredible maturity," observed ESPN analyst Pam Shriver. "Most teenagers would have folded against Pliskova's power, but Victoria adjusted her patterns, moved forward when it mattered, and handled the pressure like a veteran." The statistics reveal Mboko won 78% of net points (18/23) and saved 8 of 11 break points in the final two sets.
The Turning Point
At 4-5 in the second set, facing Pliskova's serve for the match, Mboko produced what tournament director Gavin Ziv called "one of the gutsiest games we've seen all season." She saved two match points with fearless forehand winners, broke back, then held serve to love with three aces. The momentum shift was irreversible as Pliskova won just 12 points in the first five games of the deciding set.
Osaka Awaits in Final
Sunday's championship match presents a fascinating generational clash. Osaka, returning from maternity leave, has looked increasingly sharp this week. "I've been watching Victoria's matches," Osaka admitted. "She reminds me of myself at that age - just swinging freely with no fear. It's going to be an amazing battle."
The head-to-head favors Osaka's experience:
• First career meeting between the players
• Osaka is 7-1 in WTA finals
• Mboko playing her first tour-level final
However, Mboko's coach, former Canadian Davis Cup captain Martin Laurendeau, believes his protege thrives as the underdog: "Victoria plays her best tennis when she's relaxed and having fun. Nobody expected her to be here, so all the pressure is on Naomi. That could be dangerous for the favorite."
Historic Implications
A victory would make Mboko:
• The youngest Canadian Open champion since 15-year-old Coco Gauff in 2019
• The lowest-ranked WTA 1000 winner ever (No. 298)
• The first Canadian to win the home tournament since Faye Urban in 1969
Regardless of Sunday's outcome, Mboko's breakthrough ensures she will rise over 150 spots in the rankings to around No. 140. "This is just the beginning," she told reporters. "I'm learning so much every match. To play Naomi in a final is a dream come true - I'm going to enjoy every second."
The final begins at 1:30 PM local time at IGA Stadium, with Tennis Canada announcing all remaining tickets have sold out within minutes of Mboko's semifinal victory. The match will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and internationally on WTA TV.