Teen star Victoria Mboko's breakthrough week: Loses in final but nears top 100
WTASunday, 18 May 2025 at 15:00
Teenage star Victoria Mboko couldn't clinch the title at the Emilia-Romagna Open, falling to Egypt's Mayar Sherif 6-4, 6-4 in the final. Nevertheless, the Canadian guaranteed a significant ranking jump of over 30 places, reaching a new career-high of world No. 122.
Mboko had a great tournament, reaching her first WTA-level final at the Challenger 125 event held in Parma on clay courts. The 18-year-old is currently the second-highest-ranked player under 19, only behind the impressive Mirra Andreeva (No. 6).
The Canadian – who was relatively unknown until a few months ago – had started the season with an impressive streak of 20 consecutive wins, winning four titles: including two W35 tournaments and two W70 tournaments.
Mboko had also turned heads at the recent Miami Open, defeating former world No. 33 Camila Osorio in her first WTA-level victory. A day later, she fell in a tight match against world No. 10 Paula Badosa in the second round of the tournament (5-7, 6-1, 6-7). On that occasion, Badosa showed her frustration against a surprising Mboko: "I do not know what I need to do, she plays better than Aryna Sabalenka," the Spaniard told her team during the match, when she was down 0-3 in the second set.
Paula Badosa – about Victoria Mboko:
— News Aryna Sabalenka (@Sabanewsss) March 21, 2025
"I do not know what I need to do, she plays better than Aryna Sabalenka " pic.twitter.com/AXFxYioVTF
On the other side, Mayar Sherif wins another WTA 125 title five months after her triumph at the Buenos Aires Open. The Egyptian will advance to world No. 61 and arrives at Roland Garros in good confidence, where she has reached the second round three consecutive times.
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