Mboko Fights Past Tauson to Last First Grand Slam Fourth Round
In one of the performances of his career, 19-year-old Victoria Mboko has made it into the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time.
The No. 17 seed demonstrated great resilience as it recovered from three missed match points in the second set to beat 14th seed Clara Tauson 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-3 on Friday.
This win will represent a great achievement for the teenager who has rocketed from outside the world’s top 300 to a career-high ranking of number number 16 in just 12 months.
Remarkably, since Mboko was competing in lower-tier tournaments in the Caribbean this time last year, she is now making waves in her Australian Open debut in the main draw.
A Test of Resilience
Mboko had not dropped a set in her first two matches in Melbourne and looked on course to continue this in her match against Tauson. After a tight first set in which she won in a tie break, Mboko built a commanding 5-3 lead in the second.
However, there was a major shift in momentum. Facing defeat three times while serving at 4-5, Tauson improved her game to save all three match points. The Dane went on a tear, taking five consecutive games to steal the second set to get an early break in the decider.
Finding the Will to Win
Despite the setback, Mboko refused to crumble. Relying upon what she later described as “self-belief,” she broke back immediately to spur a four-game winning streak of her own.
The 2 hour 19 minute battle ended dramatically with Mboko hammering back to back backhand winners 30-30 in the final game and finishing off the contest with a decisive backhand volley.
“I had so many chances in the second set but I have to give credit where its due, she was playing incredible tennis, so I just had to lock in in the important moments,” Mboko said during her post-match interview. “
When you have those chances like that it can be very discouraging. But that’s why there’s a third set and I was able to regroup, find my groove again and get it done.”
Breaking New Ground in Down Under
While Tauson slips to an 0-3 record in Australian Open third rounds, Mboko is soaking up the experience of her first time around. It was a statistical tug of war with Mboko enduring 33 winners from Tauson while slaying 28 of her own.
“It’s my first time playing so I feel like what’s not to enjoy,” Mboko said, beaming about her time in Melbourne. “You’re in Australia, it’s warm. It isn’t so warm back home in Canada. It’s nice to be here.”
Mboko will now seek to take this composure with her into the second week, having proved she can handle the pressure of the sport’s biggest stages.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
