Victoria Mboko Shines in Emotional Comeback Against Alexandra Eala

HONG KONG, CHINA (Oct. 30, 2025) — Victoria Mboko staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Alexandra Eala 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a stunning match at a WTA tournament, overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the third set.

The 19-year-old Canadian, seeded No. 3, praised her opponent in a post-match interview, calling Eala’s performance “amazing.” The two share a close friendship, knowing each other for years before their professional careers began. “She’s such a sweet girl and we have so many great memories together off the court,” Mboko said, referencing their outings for bubble tea and other wholesome activities.

Even though the match was emotionally charged for both players, it showcased their competitive spirits on the court. The match lasted 2 hours and 27 minutes, hinting at a potential rivalry between the two rising stars. Both players have entered the year’s Top 100 after impressive performances in recent WTA 1000 events. Eala notably defeated three Grand Slam champions in March, while Mboko captured the title in Montreal after defeating four Grand Slam champions in August.

This encounter marked their first professional match against each other, although they had met in juniors, with Eala emerging victorious at the 2022 US Open girls’ semifinals.

During the first two sets, neither player managed to hit their peak form simultaneously. Eala jumped to a quick 3-0 lead, but Mboko leveled the match before Eala secured the first set. However, Mboko turned her game around in the second set by improving her first serve percentage to 87%, allowing her to clinch the set with a crucial break.

The drama continued into the third set as Mboko struggled initially, allowing Eala to bounce back to a 4-1 lead. With determination, Mboko found her rhythm and won five consecutive games, sealing the match with a powerful serve that marked her eighth ace of the day.

“It feels unbelievable to come back in a match like that,” Mboko commented after the match. “Alex was playing such incredible tennis, and of course, the ambience in the crowd was very electric. It was very intense so I think it really pushed me to fight as much as possible.”

Mboko’s victory sets her up for a clash against No. 6 seed Anna Kalinskaya in her pursuit of a semifinal berth, aiming for continued success in Asia.