At just 18 years old, Canadian tennis phenom Victoria Mboko has already carved her name into the history books.
Last Sunday, May 25, the Toronto native secured her first Grand Slam main draw victory at Roland-Garros, defeating world No. 45 Lulu Sun of New Zealand in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6(4).
The win not only propels Mboko into the second round of the French Open but also makes her the youngest Canadian woman to win a Grand Slam match—a remarkable milestone in what’s already been a breakout 2025 season.
“This isn’t just a win. It’s a signal that Victoria Mboko has officially arrived on the Grand Slam stage,” said one analyst following the match.
Mboko, ranked No. 120 in the world, played with poise and power well beyond her years, blasting 27 winners, including seven aces, and saving six break points in the second set alone. The teenager now boasts a 41-5 record on the year, a testament to her consistency and growth.
The Canadian’s dominance was on full display in the first set, as she surged to a 5-0 lead, surrendering only three points over the next three games. Her serve proved unstoppable—Mboko’s fourth unreturned serve sealed the opening set in under 30 minutes.
The second set was more competitive, with Sun threatening to shift the momentum. But Mboko held her nerve through a 10-deuce marathon sixth game and was flawless in the tiebreak, winning all six of her points on serve.
While Mboko soared, fellow Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez experienced an uncharacteristic early exit, falling 6-3, 6-1 to Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in the first round. Fernandez, who had never lost so early at Roland-Garros, struggled with her serve, winning just 57% of her first-serve points and only 25% on second serve.
Mboko’s Breakout Run Ends Against Zheng
Up against one of the tour’s best clay-courters, Mboko battled hard and forced Qinwen Zheng to find her best, but the Olympic Gold medalist had the answers and eliminated the Canadian 6-3, 6-4.
Zheng was able to outhit Mboko from the baseline, smacking 17 winners to the Canadian’s five. The world No. 7 also seized her opportunities when given a chance to break Mboko’s big serve, converting all four of her break-point chances. The teen had plenty of opportunities of her own but only managed to convert two of eight.
