Victoria Mboko emerged victorious in an exciting all-Canadian clash during the semifinals of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday. She overcame Leylah Fernandez with a thrilling comeback, securing a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to secure her spot in the WTA final for the second time this season.
The 19-year-old Mboko showcased resilience after a challenging first set, improving her first-serve accuracy to dominate the latter stages of the match, claiming victory in 11 of the final 14 games against her 23-year-old opponent from Laval, Quebec.
Reflecting on her performance, Mboko acknowledged Fernandez’s formidable display, noting the aggressive playstyle that initially disrupted her rhythm. She credited her ability to adapt and stay competitive, gradually gaining confidence in her game and unleashing more assertive shots towards the end.
In the upcoming final, the Toronto native will square off against Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, who secured a convincing victory over Maya Joint in straight sets (6-3, 6-1) earlier on Saturday. Mboko previously faced Bucsa in a single encounter, triumphing with a 6-3, 6-2 win during the first qualifying round on the clay courts in Rome earlier this year.