Victoria Mboko emerged victorious over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa with a 7-5, 6-7 (9), 6-2 win in the Hong Kong Open final on Sunday. The 19-year-old from Burlington, Ont., clinched her second WTA title of the season, following her earlier triumph at the National Bank Open in Montreal back in August.
Reflecting on her win, Mboko expressed her satisfaction in finishing the season on a high note. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor and not burdening herself with high expectations, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of tennis competition. Mboko highlighted her day-by-day approach and credited her ability to stay positive and energized during the decisive moments of the match, despite feeling fatigued and facing a resilient opponent in Bucsa.
Having previously defeated Bucsa in straight sets during Rome qualifying earlier this year, Mboko extended her record to 2-0 against her rival. Despite facing a challenge in the second set, Mboko remained composed and focused on regrouping for the final set, ultimately securing the victory.
Mboko secured her spot in the final by overcoming fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez in a hard-fought three-set battle the day before. Recovering from a wrist injury suffered in Montreal, Mboko has shown resilience and determination in her comeback, a journey that is set to propel her into the top 20 of the WTA rankings when the latest rankings are unveiled on Monday.