It’s hard to imagine a more primetime matchup for a Saturday night at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers than world no. 2 Coco Gauff vs. 18-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko.
That’s exactly what Montreal fans, who have been especially spoiled during this week’s evening sessions, are going to be treated to. To make the dream duel a reality, Gauff took care of Veronika Kudermetova in three sets and Mboko fought back to defeat Czech Marie Bouzkova 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 thanks to superior ball striking to book her first Round of 16 appearance at a WTA 1000 tournament.
Saturday will mark the second meeting between the two players. Their first content in Rome this spring went the distance.
Kessler takes out fourth seed Andreeva
While Gauff battled past Kudermetova, fourth-seed Mirra Andreeva exited at the hands of Gauff’s doubles partner this week, McCartney Kessler.
Kessler prevailed 7-6 (5), 6-4 to notch another big win. She got the better of Gauff earlier this year.
Kessler’s ranking has risen from outside the Top 100 this time last year to well inside the Top 40. The former NCAA standout has baseline power, too, and often changes direction to trouble her opponents.
It was Andreeva’s first singles match of the week, since, after a bye in the first round, she got a walkover in the second (Bianca Andreescu).
Whether rust was a factor only she’ll know, but the Indian Wells and Dubai champ on hard courts couldn’t serve out the first set twice. In the second, she turned her left ankle when behind by a break.
The teen bravely continued but couldn’t quite come all the way back versus the 28th seed.
Kostyuk gets shot of the day
Who hit the shot of the day?
That was easy. Marta Kostyuk.
Into a third-set tiebreaker against fellow seed Daria Kasatkina, Kostyuk stumbled when in her backhand corner during a rally. Kasatkina subsequently hit the ball in the Ukrainian’s vicinity and Kostyuk, quickly back on her feet, struck a forehand passing shot.
Kostyuk then chased down Kasatkina’s forehand volley and produced a winner as part of her 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) scalp.
Her fourth-round berth came after Kostyuk lost six in a row heading into Montreal.
Celebrating the women of Tennis Canada and the NBO
Thursday was National Bank Day at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. For the occasion, Tennis Canada celebrated its Game. Set. Equity. Commitment (GSE) and the advancement of women and girls in tennis. Meet the women of Tennis Canada and the NBO in Montreal.
Photo: Pascal Ratthé
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