Victoria Mboko emerged victorious by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in a thrilling 7-5, 6-7 (9), 6-2 match to clinch the Hong Kong Open title on Sunday. The 19-year-old hailing from Burlington, Ontario, showcased her prowess on the court with nine aces, securing her second WTA championship of the season, following her earlier triumph at the National Bank Open in Montreal back in August.
Expressing her elation, Mboko stated, “It’s a great feeling to wrap up the season with a win. I strive to maintain composure and avoid setting unrealistic expectations for myself. Given the abundance of talent in the field, anything can happen.” She further added, “I prefer taking things one day at a time. I am immensely pleased to have secured another title today, kept my spirits high, and maintained a positive mindset in the decisive third set, despite feeling fatigued while facing Cristina’s exceptional tennis skills and unwavering determination.”
Having now extended her record to 2-0 against Bucsa, having previously defeated her in straight sets during Rome qualifying earlier this year, Mboko reflected on the tough second set loss, acknowledging the pain it brought. She remarked, “Losing the second set was admittedly tough, but such is the nature of tennis. It’s part of the game. Every point, including the championship point, carries significant weight. While there’s added pressure, she was also delivering exceptional shots that were beyond my control. It’s a common occurrence.”
She continued, “The key is to regroup swiftly. Dwelling on it excessively would have hampered my performance in the third set. Hence, I am glad I managed to let go and refocus.” Mboko’s journey to the final saw her overcoming fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez in a hard-fought three-set battle on Saturday. Battling back from a wrist injury suffered in Montreal that briefly derailed her progress this summer, Mboko is poised to ascend into the top 20 of the WTA rankings when the latest standings are unveiled on Monday.