Victoria Mboko continues to impress at the Canadian Open, and is through to the fourth round after defeating Marie Bouzkova.
The 18-year-old beat the Czech star over three sets, 1-6, 6-3, 6-0, to advance in Montreal and will now face the first seed, Coco Gauff.
Mboko has played Gauff on the WTA Tour just once before, losing to her in the second round of the Italian Open earlier this season.
After suffering defeat on clay, she’ll now face the American for the first time on a hard court, which she discussed after her victory over Bouzkova.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesVictoria Mboko speaks ahead of her match with Coco Gauff
When asked about her second career matchup with Gauff, the Canadian said: “The surface is different, but I mean, it’s not like you change the way you play just because of the surface.
“I mean, I’m going to kind of go into the match how I usually go into every other match despite the surface. I’m going to show up with how I play, and I just hope for the best.
“I’m really excited for it. She’s the No. 1 seed of this tournament. I mean, I’ve played her before, and I know what I’m going to expect. I’m going to really expect a hard fight.
“It’s always great to play such incredible athletes and incredible players like her. I think it’s just going to be a really fun experience again, yeah.”
Victoria Mboko’s Canadian Open campaign so far
Mboko kicked off her campaign at the Canadian Open with a straight-sets win over Kimberly Birrell in the first round, serving up a total of 15 aces in the match.
She played her first seeded opponent of the tournament in round two, coming up against Sofia Kenin, whom she swept aside 6-2, 6-3.
RoundOpponentThird RoundMarie BouzkovaSecond RoundSofia KeninFirst RoundKimberly BirrellVictoria Mboko’s Canadian Open campaign in singles
In her clash with Bouzkova, Mboko had a slow start, conceding the first set 6-1, but quickly turned things around in front of a home crowd to set up the bout with Gauff.
Her doubles run came to an abrupt end when she lost in the first round alongside compatriot partner Kayla Cross.