In the electric atmosphere of Montreal’s IGA Stadium, 18-year-old Canadian tennis sensation Victoria Mboko is gearing up for a marquee showdown against world No. 2 and top seed Coco Gauff in the Round of 16 at the National Bank Open. Fresh off a stunning comeback victory, Mboko is brimming with confidence and anticipation, declaring, “I’m really excited for it,” as she prepares to face the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion on Saturday night.
Mboko’s journey to this pivotal moment has been nothing short of remarkable. The Toronto native, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to parents who emigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has rocketed from outside the top 300 to a career-high ranking of No. 85 in 2025. Her breakout year has been defined by a blistering 48-8 record across all competitions, including five ITF titles and a 22-match winning streak without dropping a set earlier this season. Her relentless drive was on full display in her third-round match against Marie Bouzkova, where she battled back from a 1-6 first-set deficit to dominate 6-3, 6-0, securing her first-ever WTA Tour comeback from a set down. “In the second set, I wanted to make sure my movement was at least twice as better than it was in the first set, and my concentration as well,” Mboko said, reflecting on her mental shift that turned the match in her favor.
This will be the second career meeting between Mboko and Gauff, following a thrilling encounter at the Italian Open in May 2025. In Rome, Mboko stunned the tennis world by taking the first set 6-3, showcasing her ferocious forehand and exceptional athleticism. Despite Gauff’s eventual 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory, the American was quick to praise her opponent’s potential. “She’s definitely playing like one of the top players in the world right now,” Gauff said after her latest win in Montreal. “Her ranking will definitely match that soon.” Mboko’s ability to hold her own in rallies against Gauff, combined with her high-skill shots like flicked groundstrokes and blazing swing volleys, left a lasting impression. Gauff herself noted their similarities, saying, “I felt like I was playing myself. I think I move pretty well, and she moves very well… As far as the movement, I think she’s up there with me on that.”
Mboko approaches this hard-court rematch with a clear mindset. “The surface is different,” she said, acknowledging the shift from clay to the faster hard courts of Montreal. “But I mean, it’s not like you change the way you play just because of the surface. I’m going to kind of go into the match how I usually go into every other match despite the surface. I’m going to show up with how I play, and I just hope for the best.” Her confidence is bolstered by her familiarity with Gauff’s game and her own stellar form, having dispatched former Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets and Australia’s Kimberly Birrell earlier in the tournament.
For Gauff, the National Bank Open has been a test of resilience. The 21-year-old has struggled with her serve, racking up an astonishing 37 double faults across her first two matches in Montreal, including 23 against Danielle Collins and 14 against Veronika Kudermetova. Despite these challenges, Gauff’s mental toughness has shone through, as she clawed back from a set and a break down against Kudermetova to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. “Obviously, I’m very disappointed with myself regarding that part of the game,” Gauff admitted, noting her efforts to refine her serve in training. Former world No. 1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs praised Gauff’s tenacity, highlighting her “speed, tenacity, and fight” as key to her victories.
Mboko’s coach, former Wimbledon finalist Nathalie Tauziat, believes her protege is ready for the challenge. “She has been training for a long time for this,” Tauziat said. “Vicky, she knew already that she had great potential, so I think in her head she is ready, and right now she is making her dream come true.” Pierre Lamarche, who coached Mboko at his Burlington, Ontario, academy, recalled her competitive fire even at age four. “She’s a tough cookie. She doesn’t give up,” he said, marveling at her ability to rebound from a shaky first set against Bouzkova.
As Mboko steps onto the center court in front of her home crowd, the stakes are high. A victory over Gauff could propel her into her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal and potentially into the top 55 in the live WTA rankings. For the young Canadian, who idolizes Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu, this match is a chance to prove she belongs among the elite. “It’s always great to play such incredible athletes and incredible players like her,” Mboko said. “I think it’s just going to be a really fun experience again.” With her fearless shot-making and unyielding spirit, Mboko is poised to make this clash a memorable one, as she aims to etch her name deeper into the tennis world’s consciousness.
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