Victoria Mboko continues to excel in one particular area after demolishing Eva Lys at the Japan Open

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Canadian star Victoria Mboko has shown signs of a return to form at the Japan Open this week.

After defeating 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the opening round, Mboko swiftly dispatched Germany’s Eva Lys 6-1, 6-1 in the second round on Wednesday.

It was simply a dominant performance by the Canadian Open champion, who will now face either Leylah Fernandez or Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.

Mboko had lost four consecutive first-round matches since lifting the Canadian Open trophy, but now seems to have regained her title-winning form as the season draws to a close.

If Mboko is to upset the apple cart against Fernandez or Rybakina, she will need to rely on perhaps her most prolific shot.

Victoria Mboko’s superb first serve

If Victoria Mboko can continue to serve as well as she did against Eva Lys, she will most definitely be a strong contender for the Japan Open title.

The 19-year-old already boasts one of the best first serves on Tour, and this shot will likely serve as the foundation for her future success.

As per Sofascore, Mboko made 79 per cent of her first serves, winning 87 per cent of those points.

For comparison, Lys made 76 per cent of her first serves, but won only 46 per cent of those points.

Mboko also served five aces to Lys’ total of zero, while facing only one break-point on serve, which the Canadian saved.

In the past, Mboko has hit double-digit double faults during matches, most notably in the semi-final and final of the Canadian Open.

However, on Wednesday, Mboko had her second serve under control, serving just two double faults.

Mboko’s record against Elena Rybakina

Victoria Mboko’s record against world number seven Elena Rybakina stands at one win and one loss.

The pair first contested a match at the 2025 Washington Open. Rybakina won the round of 16 contest 6-3, 7-5 before later losing in the semi-finals to eventual champion Leylah Fernandez.

Mboko avenged her Washington loss just 13 days later, defeating the Kazakhstani player 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 in the Canadian Open semi-finals.

For Rybakina, this week is critical: she must reach the semi-final stage to qualify for the final WTA Finals ahead of Mirra Andreeva.