Mboko Stages Comeback Victory Over Bubble Tea Partner Eala in Hong Kong
Victoria Mboko achieved a remarkable comeback victory over Alexandra Eala in Hong Kong, winning the match with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 19-year-old Canadian found herself down 4-1 in the third set but showed incredible resilience to clinch the victory.
Match Overview
Mboko’s sportsmanship shone through as she commended Eala, stating she “played an amazing match.” The match showcased both players’ competitive spirit over a duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes. This encounter marked their first professional match, although they had previously competed in juniors.
Prior Encounters
- Last meeting: 2022 US Open girls’ semifinals, Eala won 6-1, 7-6(5)
- Both players have now entered the Top 100 rankings this year.
Match Highlights
During the match, neither player displayed consistent form initially. Eala surged to a 3-0 advantage early on, but Mboko fought back to level the score. Despite her efforts, Eala secured the first set. In the second set, Mboko improved her first serve percentage from 58% to 87%, allowing her to break Eala for a set win.
Decisive Third Set
The final set began poorly for Mboko as she committed several double faults, enabling Eala to pull ahead. However, the Canadian regained her composure and showcased impressive backhand winners, winning the last five games consecutively. She secured a crucial break at 5-4 and ultimately served for the match, finishing with her eighth ace.
Post-Match Reactions
Mboko reflected on her performance, highlighting the electric atmosphere in the crowd as a motivator. “It feels unbelievable to come back in a match like that,” she stated. Following this victory, she has reached back-to-back quarterfinals in Asia.
Next Steps for Mboko
Looking ahead, Victoria Mboko will face the No. 6 seed Anna Kalinskaya in her quest for a spot in the semifinals, marking what could be a significant tournament for the young player.
