The competition intensifies.
In a thrilling rematch at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open third round, the world’s top two teenage players clashed for the second time this season. No. 10 seed Victoria Mboko surpassed the result of the January Adelaide final, defeating No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) after 2 hours and 10 minutes. Andreeva had a chance to win, holding a match point at 5-4 in the final set, but lost it due to a double fault.
Doha: Scores | Draws | Order of play
This victory marks 19-year-old Mboko’s third win against a Top 10 opponent, advancing her to the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 for the second time in her career, following her unexpected title run in Montreal last year. She joins Magdalena Frech as the second player this year to win two matches after saving match points, as Mboko previously saved two match points against Anna Kalinskaya in Adelaide.
Since the last round of Wimbledon qualifying, Mboko has secured 13 wins in her last 14 three-set matches. Her only recent defeat in a deciding set occurred against Elise Mertens at the United Cup in January. She is set to face either No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina or Zheng Qinwen next in Doha.
Set One: Mboko’s Dominance
The first set showcased Mboko’s aggressive playstyle. She effectively constructed points, demonstrating both power and consistency with 15 winners, including five aces, while Andreeva managed only five winners. Mental resilience was key, as Mboko quickly surged to a 3-0 lead, but faced a comeback from Andreeva. However, she countered by fending off two break points and successfully held serve.
Set Two: Andreeva’s Strategy Shift
Andreeva made significant tactical changes in the second set, utilizing slices and drop shots effectively. She saved four break points for a crucial hold in the first game and broke Mboko’s serve in the following game with clever shot construction. This tactical shift restricted Mboko’s scoring opportunities, leading to a reduced count of eight winners. Though she briefly leveled at 3-3, Andreeva ultimately took control to win the set.
Set Three: A Tense Finale
The final set reached peak excitement, with both players exchanging wonderfully crafted shots. Andreeva secured an early break but was quickly leveled by Mboko. As the tension escalated, both players struggled with their serves, trading double faults at critical moments. Ultimately, the deciding tiebreak saw Mboko execute a remarkable angled backhand that granted her a 5-3 lead, allowing her to convert her third match point with an inside-out winner.
“I feel like I came out with some very clutch shots at the end,” Mboko said afterward. “I think we both were pretty tired during the tiebreak, but I was fortunate to make good shots when it counted most.”
