Naomi Osaka will face Victoria Mboko in the final of the National Bank Open in Montreal, a matchup that carries emotional weight for both players. Mboko, just 18 years old, has openly shared that Osaka was her idol growing up—a sentiment that Osaka responded to with warmth and humor.
A Moment of Reflection and Connection
Speaking ahead of the final, Osaka said, “It’s really cute. I guess I have to have a really good attitude tomorrow. I can’t let her not like me anymore.” She laughed as she recalled seeing Mboko on TV and thinking, “That’s my little twin,” noting their matching blue dresses and hair buns. The moment captured a rare blend of admiration and camaraderie between generations of athletes.
Honored and Inspired
Osaka expressed genuine appreciation for the opportunity to play someone who looked up to her. “I’m really honored,” she said. “I always said that I would love to play someone that looked up to me in a way, so it’s happening way sooner than I thought it would.” Her words reflected not only her humility but also her awareness of the impact she’s had on younger players.
A Final with Emotional Depth
The upcoming match is more than just a battle for the title—it’s a celebration of legacy, inspiration, and the evolving narrative of women’s tennis. For Osaka, it’s a chance to return to championship form. For Mboko, it’s the realization of a dream. And for fans, it’s a rare and beautiful moment where admiration meets competition on the court.
Mboko in Montreal, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked no.85 (career-high), Victoria has achieved a 52-9 win-loss record in 2025. Victoria is currently playing in Montreal where she defeated the world no.79 Kimberly Birrell 7-5 6-3, the world no.27 Sofia Kenin 6-2 6-3, the world no.39 Marie Bouzkova 1-6 6-3 6-0
, the world no.2 Cori Gauff 6-1 6-4, the world no.51 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 and the world no.12 Elena Rybakina 1-6 7-5 7-6(4).Victoria Mboko will come up against the world no.221 Clervie Ngounoue in the final. Their head to head is 2-0 for Mboko.
Mboko conquered 5 titles in 2025 in the W35 Le Lamentin, the Bourg, the W75 Rome, the W35 Manchester and the W75 Porto. The Canadian was the finalist in the Parma.
Osaka in Montreal, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked world no.49, the Japanese has managed to achieve a 27-11 match record in 2025. Naomi is now competing in Montreal where she ousted the world no.515 Ariana Arseneault 6-4 6-2, the world no.16 Liudmila Samsonova 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3, the world no.26 Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4, the world no.386 Anastasija Sevastova 6-1 6-0, the world no.13 Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-2 and the world no.19 Clara Tauson 6-2 7-6(7).
Naomi Osaka will square off with the world no.85 Victoria Mboko in the final. They have never played each other until now in top competitions.
Osaka has won 1 title in 2025 in the Malo. The Japanese was the runner-up in Auckland (ASB Classic).
Naomi won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka have never played each other.