Victoria Mboko emerged victorious in the Hong Kong Open on Sunday by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 7-5, 6-7 (9), 6-2. Hailing from Burlington, Ontario, the 19-year-old clinched her second WTA title of the season after previously winning the National Bank Open in Montreal back in August.
Expressing her delight, Mboko stated, “It’s a great feeling to end the season on a winning note. I focus on staying composed and not burdening myself with high expectations. The competition is fierce, and anything can happen.” She added, “I prefer taking things one day at a time. I am thrilled to secure another title today, staying motivated and positive in the final set, despite feeling exhausted and facing tough opposition from Cristina who played exceptional tennis.”
This victory extended Mboko’s record to 2-0 against Bucsa, as she had previously defeated her in straight sets during Rome qualifying earlier this year. Reflecting on the match, Mboko acknowledged the challenge of losing the second set but emphasized the need to refocus and move forward. She highlighted the importance of regrouping after pivotal moments and not letting setbacks affect her performance.
In the semifinals, Mboko triumphed over fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez in a three-set match. Following a wrist injury in Montreal that briefly halted her progress, Mboko has been steadily working her way back to full fitness. As a result of her recent success, she is expected to break into the WTA top 20 when the updated rankings are published next week.