Victoria Mboko has exacted revenge on Mirra Andreeva after knocking her out of the Qatar Open in Doha.
Mboko defeated Andreeva 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7-5) in a round of 16 thriller, in what was their second meeting on the WTA Tour.
The Canadian turned the tide against the Russian in Doha, with Andreeva beating Mboko in the final of the Adelaide International at the start of the year.
She has now levelled their head-to-head after that 6-3, 6-1 loss in Australia, and has just earned a Qatar Open quarterfinal tie with Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina is playing her first tournament since winning the Australian Open, where Mboko suffered a fourth round exit.
Who surprised you the most at the Australian Open this year?
Did they surprise you in a positive or negative way?
Victoria Mboko motivated by WTA rival Mirra Andreeva
Mboko is now back to winning ways after falling to Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne, with the 19-year-old praising fellow teenager Andreeva following their meeting in Doha.
“Seeing her do so well at such a young age, it’s very motivating,” said the Canadian. “Knowing her for such a long time, it was nice.
“I mean, when I kind of made my way to the tour, having someone who I knew and could kind of relate to in a way, it was really nice.
“Yeah, I can definitely see myself playing her a lot more in the future. She’s just really nice to have around.”
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
Victoria Mboko didn’t dwell on Adelaide final loss to Mirra Andreeva
Andreeva has indeed set the tone for teenagers on the WTA Tour in recent times, representing the perfect role model.
The 18-year-old is already well established in the WTA top 10, with her four career titles involving back-to-back success in Dubai and Indian Wells last year.
READ MORE: Victoria Mboko suggests the key reason why she lost to Aryna Sabalenka
She added the Adelaide title to her honors list this year, but Mboko is delighted to have hit back against her rival in Qatar.
“I was kind of more energized, in a way,” Mboko said of their latest match. “I wasn’t feeling 100 percent in the Adelaide final.
“She also did play really solid tennis. She completely deserved that win.
“Today it’s a different tournament, we’re in a different place, different courts, and it’s just a different vibe overall.
“I don’t really like to dwell on the past, and I just was thinking it’s going to be a new day today.”
There are several teenagers impressing on the WTA Tour, with the future of women’s tennis definitely in safe hands.
But just as she doesn’t dwell on the past, Mboko won’t be looking too far beyond her blockbuster meeting with Rybakina.
The Australian Open champion is the favorite to come out on top, but the underdog has been in fine form in Doha.
Before knocking out Andreeva, the 10th seed defeated Marie Bouzkova and Vera Zvonareva, both in straight sets.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
