The US Open is right around the corner and players are competing in a number of tournaments across North America in preparation for the big event.
The last calendar major has created most surprises of any Grand Slam in recent years. Just last year, Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in the second round, and Novak Djokovic was dumped out in the third.
On the WTA Tour, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek will be considered the favourites, with Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva also in with a solid chance.
The first WTA 1000 tournament is being contested in Canada this week, and there has already been a huge exit, in the form of French Open champion Coco Gauff.
Her opponent, who won their fourth-round match in 62 minutes, is a serious dark horse contender for the US Open title, despite being 18 years old.
Victoria Mboko is a dark horse for the US Open title
There can be little doubt that Victoria Mboko is now a dark horse contender for the US Open title.
The 18-year-old star had hoped to play Coco Gauff in the round of 16. Upon that wish coming true, Mboko defeated Gauff 6-1 6-4 in 62 minutes.
Gauff described Mboko as one of the best athletes on the WTA Tour after their match at the Italian Open, and the Canadian lived up to her billing in Montreal.
Mboko produced a supreme performance on the biggest stage: winning 79 per cent of her first serve points and converting all four of her break-point opportunities.
Saturday night’s Mboko extravaganza has confirmed what many already knew. She is ready for the biggest stages.
Mboko has won multiple Grand Slam matches at the French Open and Wimbledon this year. She seems even more comfortable on the hard court, and if she can perform well in the warm-up events, she may even land a seeded place at the US Open.
Her gigantic serve and agile movement make her a standout contender for a maiden major title, despite her age. Mboko will need a favourable draw in New York; she will not want to face too many top 10 seeds early on.
Earlier in the year, Mboko won 22 straight matches on her way to four consecutive ITF Tour titles. This streak foreshadowed the almighty potential that is yet to be fully realised.
However, if she can navigate her way through the first few rounds, there is no telling what Victoria Mboko could achieve at Flushing Meadows.
The US Open winners who shocked the world
The US Open has a habit of throwing up surprises. Just ask 2021 champion Emma Raducanu.
The 18-year-old Brit became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title, beating 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez in the final. Fernandez – who recently won the 2025 Washington Open – was also a surprise figure in the final, defeating Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka on her way to the final.
Just seven years earlier, 14th seed Marin Cilic stunned tennis fans by winning the US Open Men’s Singles title. His final against Kei Nishikori, who was the 10th seed, was the lowest combined ranking of seeds at the US Open since 2002.
This contest was also the only final between Wimbledon 2004 and the 2020 US Open that did not include Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray.
The fact remains: the US Open is the tournament of surprises, and Victoria Mboko could cause a huge one this September.
