Coco Gauff: Rising Star Victoria Mboko Stuns Top Seed in Just 62 Minutes at National Bank Open in Montreal

Move over, Coco—there’s another teen sensation lighting up the court, and she just made a thunderous statement in her hometown. Victoria Mboko, the 17-year-old Canadian rising star, pulled off the shock of the tournament by dismantling top seed Coco Gauff in just 62 jaw-dropping minutes at the National Bank Open in Montreal.

Yes, you read that right—62 minutes. That’s how long it took Mboko to turn Centre Court into her own personal coming-out party. With a fearless, all-court assault, the young wildcard didn’t just beat the U.S. Open champion—she outplayed her in nearly every department. Aggressive returns? Check. Relentless movement? Check. Nerves of steel in front of a roaring home crowd? Double check.

For Gauff, it was a match to forget. She came into Montreal as the heavy favorite, riding the momentum of a strong hard-court season. But from the first ball, she looked unsettled by Mboko’s pace and unpredictability. And when the crowd realized their local girl was going toe-to-toe with one of the game’s biggest names—and winning—they erupted, giving Mboko a rocket fuel boost that propelled her to the biggest win of her young career.

But make no mistake, this wasn’t a fluke. Mboko, long touted as a junior prodigy, has been quietly grinding through the ITF ranks, sharpening her weapons and gaining confidence. Her performance against Gauff showed not just potential, but polish. She played with the maturity of a seasoned pro, mixing power and touch with dazzling shot selection.

And perhaps most impressively, she didn’t blink.

While many young players crumble under the pressure of facing someone like Coco, Mboko embraced the moment. She soaked in the cheers, stayed laser-focused, and walked off the court looking like a player who plans to be around for a long, long time.

For Gauff, it’s a stumble—but one that might serve as a wake-up call. In today’s WTA, the depth is real, and no match is a given. And for Mboko, this could be the breakout that vaults her into the spotlight she clearly deserves.

The National Bank Open just witnessed the rise of a new Canadian queen—and the tennis world better take note. Victoria Mboko isn’t coming. She’s already here.