Victoria Mboko has just recorded the biggest win of her career, having beaten Coco Gauff to reach the Canadian Open quarter-finals.
However, this was far from an average victory. It was a statement.
After all, at just 18 years of age, she crushed the world number two, capitalising on another error-laden performance to win 6-1, 6-4.
Naturally, she was buoyed by the home crowd, but this was a result that had been brewing for many months now. After all, she pushed Coco Gauff all the way in Rome, and did the same to Paula Badosa in Miami too.
Mboko has all the talent in the world, and took time to give her verdict on the Canadian Open crowd afterwards.
Victoria Mboko rates the Canadian Open crowd for her match vs Coco Gauff
Speaking to reporters, this teenage sensation was justifiably upbeat when analysing her performance.
However, she first wanted to take some time to thank the crowd, noting: “Yeah, well, like you said, none of us have broken each other in the second set close to the end. I just remember in the last game when I was up 5-4, the crowd kind of started cheering even louder, and everything got super noisy. I kind of used that as more fuel for myself and to pump myself up a little bit more.
“I just used the crowd to my advantage as much as I could. Yeah, I think it helped me tremendously, especially in the last game, since they were so encouraging me. It was just amazing.”
Asked to expand on that home support, Mboko continued: “Every day they’ve been coming to all my matches and supporting me a lot. I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve never really had so many people cheering for me in a tournament, especially a WTA tournament. This is kind of the only tournament Canada has, WTA tournament.
“To have that kind of support at a tournament like this, it’s amazing. I couldn’t be more grateful, and I think it’s so cool that so many Canadians get to come and support me.”
This came after Gauff gave her instant reaction to Mboko’s level during that match.
What’s next for Coco Gauff?
It’s no secret that Gauff almost needed this break from competition.
After all, if she is mid-tournament, when will she get the time to correct her glaring issue?
The second serve has plagued the 21-year-old for many months now, and a handful of notable names have offered her advice on how to rectify this dire situation.
Alas, winning the French Open perhaps papered over these cracks, which then manifested into a poor grass-court season and an early exit here in Montreal.
Gauff’s next tournament will come in Cincinnati, where last year she lost in the very first round. It will be a quick turnaround though, giving her just a few days to acclimatise and try to iron out her biggest weakness.
