Momentum building: Victoria Mboko continues ascent with strong Doha debut

Victoria Mboko continues to impress and made a winning debut at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open, with an emphatic victory over Czech Marie Bouzkova, winning 7-5, 6-2. The world No. 13 appears determined to fight for a place inside the top 10 as soon as possible, and in just her first appearance in Doha she continues to add victories.

The Canadian now owns a 9–3 record so far this season and secured her passage into the second round of the tournament. She will face an intriguing clash against 41-year-old veteran Vera Zvonareva – who came through qualifying and caused an upset in the first round by defeating Peyton Stearns. There is a 22-year age difference between them, and by the time Mboko was born, Zvonareva had already won five professional titles – and had reached another four finals.

The first set began in favour of Bouzkova (No. 37), who claimed the first break of the match in just the opening service game of her opponent. The Czech moved ahead 2-0, putting Mboko (No. 13) under early pressure. However, the 19-year-old kept her composure and quickly recovered the break to level the match once again. The Canadian won four of the next five games and moved ahead 4-3 – with a break advantage that left her in a strong position to close out the set.

Nevertheless, Bouzkova reacted immediately – just as Mboko had done at the start of the match – and recovered the break. The Czech went on to lead 5-4, but in the closing stages of the set it was Mboko who showed greater concentration, winning three games in a row to seal the set 7-5. It had been an even set, but one in which Mboko delivered her best tennis in the most important moments.

The start of the second set again swung in Bouzkova’s favour, as she took advantage of a brief lapse in concentration from her rival and secured a break in her first opportunity of the set. Once again she moved 2-0 ahead, but as in the previous set her advantage was short-lived, with Mboko immediately breaking back to restore parity.

This time Bouzkova was unable to keep pace with her opponent and collapsed in the following games. Mboko took full control of the second set, reeling off as many as three consecutive breaks – converting three of five break-point opportunities. With impeccable service games, Mboko made sure to avoid any complications in the closing stages. She won six games in a row and wrapped up the victory 7-5, 6-2.

While Mboko picked up another straightforward victory in the tournament, Leylah Fernandez continues to extend a negative streak. The Canadian player suffered yet another first-round defeat. World No. 25 Fernandez was unable to do much against American Ann Li (No. 41), who defeated her without major difficulties, 6-4, 6-3.

Fernandez held a competitive battle against the American but failed at key moments. Li saved the only break point she faced in the first set, while converting three of six opportunities, against a Fernandez whose level is beginning to raise concern and who will drop two positions to world No. 27.

Fernandez has not enjoyed a strong start to the year, with just one win and five losses. She currently sits at No. 57 in the WTA Race – although she is expected to drop several places this very week following her early elimination in Doha. She is not defending many points in the coming weeks, which still gives her a certain margin for error to recover her form.

Her next challenge will come at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships – where she is not defending points after losing in the first round a year ago. For now, she remains in the doubles draw alongside Kristina Mladenovic, with the pair set to make their first-round debut this Monday against the Chinese duo Wang / Zheng.