In an exciting semifinal at the Hong Kong Tennis Open, Victoria Mboko triumphed over fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez. The match concluded with scores of 2-6, 6-3, and 6-2 in favor of Mboko, advancing her to her second WTA final this season.
Match Overview
At just 19 years old, Mboko showcased her resilience after a challenging start. She managed to increase her first-serve success rate, dominating the latter part of the match. Mboko won 11 of the final 14 games, a significant turnaround after losing the first set to the 23-year-old Fernandez from Laval, Quebec.
Post-Match Reflections
Mboko humbly acknowledged Fernandez’s performance. She said, “I didn’t really have the best start. But I gotta give credit to her – she was playing really great, aggressive tennis.” This acknowledgment highlights the challenging nature of the match.
As the match progressed, Mboko gained confidence and adjusted her strategy, stating, “I just started saying to myself, ‘she’s playing really great so I just wanted to stay in there as much as I could with her and find a way.’” Her determination led to a more assertive game by the end.
Final Match Preview
Mboko will face Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the final. Bucsa secured her spot by defeating Maya Joint in straight sets, with scores of 6-3 and 6-1. This matchup will be particularly interesting as Mboko has previously defeated Bucsa in their only encounter, winning 6-3, 6-2 during the clay courts of Rome earlier this year.
Upcoming Challenges
As both players prepare for the final, Mboko’s previous experience against Bucsa may give her an edge. The anticipation builds as fans look forward to this showdown between two talented athletes.
