The 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal is set to deliver a blockbuster semifinal showdown on Wednesday night, as former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina prepares to face Canadian teenage sensation Victoria Mboko at IGA Stadium. The No. 9 seed from Kazakhstan, a seasoned veteran at 26, has expressed cautious respect for the 18-year-old wildcard, who has electrified her home crowd with a string of stunning upsets. Mboko’s meteoric rise, highlighted by her 6-1, 6-4 thrashing of world No. 2 Coco Gauff in the fourth round, has made her the talk of the tournament. Rybakina, who advanced to her 10th WTA 1000 semifinal after Marta Kostyuk’s injury-forced retirement, knows she’s up against a fearless opponent with nothing to lose.
Mboko, a Montreal native ranked No. 85, has turned heads with her fearless play and remarkable composure, becoming the first Canadian to reach the WTA 1000 event’s semifinals since Bianca Andreescu’s 2019 title run. At just 18 years and 336 days, she’s also the youngest semifinalist since Belinda Bencic’s 2015 triumph in Toronto. Her journey to the final four included a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the quarterfinals, where she won 92% of points on her opponent’s second serve and converted five of nine break-point opportunities. “I’m so excited to be in the semifinal here,” Mboko told the roaring crowd post-match. “I train here, and it’s always a great opportunity to be here. My first time playing in Montreal has been an unreal experience, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Rybakina, who holds a 1-0 head-to-head edge after defeating Mboko 6-3, 7-5 at the Citi Open in Washington just last week, is well aware of the challenge ahead. “She’s dangerous,” Rybakina said of the Canadian prodigy. “She has really good strokes, and she plays fast, and she has nothing to lose.” The Kazakhstani star, who has reached five semifinals in 2025 alone, acknowledged Mboko’s ability to compete toe-to-toe, recalling their tight Washington encounter where Mboko recovered from early breaks but faltered in clutch moments. Rybakina’s experience and powerful serve, which she credits to Montreal’s fast courts, give her an edge, but she’s bracing for a fiercer fight with the home crowd in Mboko’s corner. “I think it’s fast courts and balls I enjoy,” Rybakina noted. “It’s very good for my serve, especially when it’s going.”
Mboko’s breakout season has been nothing short of spectacular. After starting 2025 ranked No. 333, she embarked on a 22-match winning streak, capturing five ITF titles and reaching the third round at the French Open and the first round at Wimbledon, where she stunned 25th seed Magdalena Frech. In Montreal, her victims include Kimberly Birrell, Sofia Kenin, Marie Bouzkova, and Gauff, boosting her record to 25-8 against higher-ranked opponents and 51-9 overall. “Every day they’ve been coming to all my matches and supporting me a lot,” Mboko said of the Montreal fans, whose chants of “Vicky, Vicky, Vicky!” have echoed through IGA Stadium. Her ability to blend attacking and counterpunching styles, honed by her siblings’ contrasting influences, has made her a versatile threat.
Rybakina, meanwhile, has battled through her own challenges in Montreal. Her quarterfinal against Kostyuk ended prematurely when the Ukrainian retired trailing 6-1, 2-1 due to a wrist injury, sparing Rybakina a potentially grueling match. Earlier, she survived a three-set marathon against Dayana Yastremska, overcoming nine double faults to secure her 20th hard-court win of the season. Despite her inconsistent serve, Rybakina’s baseline power and experience make her the favorite, but Mboko’s fearless aggression and home-court advantage could level the playing field. “I know that she’s a fighter,” said Bouzas Maneiro, Mboko’s quarterfinal opponent. “She’s put in a lot of power in her game.”
The semifinal, set for Wednesday, August 6, promises a clash of contrasts: Rybakina’s proven pedigree against Mboko’s youthful exuberance. The Canadian, who speaks French and has trained in Montreal, is riding a wave of confidence and local support, which she believes can make the difference. Reflecting on her Washington loss to Rybakina, Mboko hinted at tactical adjustments, emphasizing the need to stay mentally strong in decisive moments. “I want to thank everyone for your support once again,” she told the crowd after her quarterfinal win. “It’s been an unreal experience.” For Rybakina, the match is a chance to reach her first final since Miami 2024 and add to her nine career titles, including her 2025 Strasbourg triumph.
With the top five seeds eliminated before the quarterfinals, the tournament is wide open, and Mboko’s dream run has captivated a nation. Her projected ranking surge to at least No. 48 reflects her rapid ascent, but she remains focused on the moment. “I train here and it’s always a great opportunity to be here,” she said, underscoring the personal significance of her Montreal journey. As Rybakina prepares for a “tough opponent” backed by a passionate crowd, tennis fans are gearing up for a semifinal that could define Mboko’s career and test Rybakina’s resilience. The stage is set for a thrilling battle, with a spot in Thursday’s final—and a shot at history—on the line.
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