Teenager Mboko Reaches Canadian Open Semis in Dream Run

Mboko Reaches Semis to Continue Dream Montreal Run

Victoria Mboko’s incredible rise in 2025 continued as the 18-year-old Canadian cruised into the semi-finals of the Canadian Open with a confident 6-4, 6-2 win over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in Montreal.

Fresh off her fourth-round shock win over world No. 2 Coco Gauff, Mboko once again delivered a commanding performance on home soil.

“I’m so excited to be in the semi-final here,” Mboko said. “My first time playing in Montreal has been an unreal experience and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

From 333 to Top 50 in Eight Months

Mboko began the year ranked 333rd in the world but has rocketed up the rankings following a 22-match winning streak to start 2025, collecting five ITF titles. Her WTA Tour debut came in March, and now she’s projected to break into the top 50 next week.

She also impressed on the Grand Slam stage:

• French Open: Reached 3rd round on debut

• Wimbledon: Beat 25th seed Magdalena Frech in Round 1

She becomes:

• The first Canadian to reach the Montreal semi-finals since Bianca Andreescu won the title in 2019

• The youngest semi-finalist at the event since Belinda Bencic in 2015

Next Up: Elena Rybakina

Mboko was ranked 333rd at the start of 2025

Mboko will now face Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and 9th seed, in her first WTA 1000 semi-final. The pair met recently in Washington, where Rybakina defeated Mboko in straight sets.

Rybakina advanced to the semis after Marta Kostyuk retired due to a wrist injury while trailing 6-1, 2-1.

Zverev Advances in Toronto as Djokovic Withdraws

In the men’s draw, held in Toronto, Alexander Zverev came from behind to beat defending champion Alexei Popyrin 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-3.

• It marks Zverev’s 75th career ATP semi-final, joining only Novak Djokovic as the active players with that feat.

• He’ll face Karen Khachanov, who ousted American Alex Michelsen 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Open confirmed that Djokovic has withdrawn for “non-medical” reasons.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who skipped Toronto due to a groin issue, hasn’t played since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semis.

The 38-year-old now looks unlikely to compete again before the US Open, which begins 24 August.