Victoria Mboko is through to the fourth round of the Australian Open; surpassing her best Grand Slam finish from Roland Garros last year.
The Canadian, who enjoyed a breakthrough season on the WTA Tour in 2025, clinched the decisive third set against Clara Tauson to advance.
Mboko‘s assignment in the round of 16 comes in the form of world number one Aryna Sabalenka, whom she has never faced before.
Sabalenka, in search of a third Australian Open title, has yet to drop a set in her campaign at Melbourne Park.
Ahead of her maiden clash with the Belarusian, Mboko revealed how she was feeling about arguably the biggest match of her career.
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Victoria Mboko speaks about playing Aryna Sabalenka next
When asked in a press conference how the matchup sits with her, Mboko responded: “Yeah, I think it’s super cool.
“I’ve never played a current No. 1 in the world. That’s going to be a very different experience.
“I assume we’d be playing on Rod Laver, as well. I’ve never played on a Grand Slam centre court either. A lot of firsts.
“I’m just really excited. It’s something not many people get to experience. To be doing that on Sunday is, I think, really cool. Just to show what I got.”
Victoria Mboko’s campaign at the Australian Open so far
Mboko kicked off her campaign Down Under just two days after losing the Adelaide International final against Mirra Andreeva.
She quickly bounced back from the defeat by winning her opening match at the first Grand Slam of the year against home hope Emerson Jones.
In round two, Mboko overcame American star Caty McNally in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 to match her best major result.
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Now, she will have the chance to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time against Sabalenka.
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