Mboko Defeats Fernandez in Hong Kong to Reach Second Career Final

Victoria Mboko came through an all-Canadian semifinal, defeating Leylah Fernandez 2-6 6-3 6-2 to set a final with Spain’s Cristina Bucsa at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.

“It feels unbelievable,” she said. “It’s never easy playing your friend. She played incredible and it was such a difficult match but I’m so glad I got through today.” 

19-year-old Mboko, ranked 21, had gone winless after winning her maiden title in Montreal this summer, but has since won six of her last seven matches, in Tokyo and Hong Kong. 

Mboko hit 17 winners against 34 unforced, but relied on her high percentage of first serves made (77 percent). 

Bucsa took out Maya Joint, 6-3 6-1, the 68th-ranked Spaniard is into her first career final. 

“She’s in the final for a reason – what’s in the past is in the past,” Mboko said of Bucsa, whom she defeated this year in qualifying at Rome. “I know it’s going to be a difficult match. Hopefully I can bring good tennis as well.”