Victoria Mboko reached the National Bank Open final by defeating ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4). At just 18 years old, Mboko saved a match point, broke Rybakina twice, and won in a match lasting 2 hours and 46 minutes, the longest of her career. She is seeking her first WTA Tour title and aspires to join Faye Urban and Bianca Andreescu as the only Canadians to win this home event in the Open era. Mboko will face Naomi Osaka in the final after Osaka defeated Clara Tauson.
Mboko, 18, dropped to the court after Rybakina's shot sailed long on match point as the crowd -- lined with "Allez Vicky" -- erupted. Mboko saved a match point in the third set and broke Rybakina twice to force the tiebreaker.
"Incredible match," Mboko told the crowd in French. "Thank you to everyone for supporting me. It was really difficult, but anything can happen."
Mboko, 18, seeking her first WTA Tour title, is trying to join Faye Urban and Bianca Andreescu as the only Canadians to win the home event in the Open era.
At 2 hours, 46 minutes, the match Wednesday was the longest of Mboko's short tour career.
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