Ex-WTA player gives verdict on Victoria Mboko’s US Open hopes as underdog tag fades

Former world number 76, Broady was asked during her commentary for Sky Sports in Canada if she now sees Mboko as a favourite for the US Open title. She responded:

“The level she has played this week, you have to say so.

“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but it’s hard not to. She is going to be seeded. She is full of confidence.

“She would be the player I would not want to see next to me in the draw, or in my section. Not anywhere near me.”

“Similar conditions as well at the US Open, those lively North American hard courts. She’s so comfortable there.

“There is a lot to deal with; the pressure is now going to come with her. She is not the underdog.”

Mboko’s win in Montreal means she will move into the top 32 and earn a seed for New York.

The 18-year-old will avoid other seeds until at least the third round, giving her a clearer path early on.

It would not be surprising if she added more Grand Slam victories when she makes her debut at Flushing Meadows soon.

Victoria Mboko’s journey through the Grand Slams so far

It’s still early days for Victoria Mboko, but her rise over the past few months has been hard to miss.

She first appeared in a Grand Slam 80 days ago, entering the qualifying rounds at Roland Garros. After making it through, she picked up her first main draw wins there and later added more at Wimbledon.

• 2025 French Open 1R – [WIN] Victoria Mboko defeated Lulu Sun, 6-1, 7-6
• 2025 French Open 2R – [WIN] Victoria Mboko defeated Eva Lys, 6-4, 6-4
• 2025 French Open 3R – [LOSS] Victoria Mboko lost to Qinwen Zheng, 3-6, 4-6
• 2025 Wimbledon 1R – [WIN] Victoria Mboko defeated Magdalena Frech, 6-3, 6-2
• 2025 Wimbledon 2R – [LOSS] Victoria Mboko lost to Hailey Baptiste, 6-7, 3-6

With a 3-2 Grand Slam record, Mboko has achieved an impressive feat given her relative inexperience.

She will be looking to add to that tally in New York, but before then, she has a decision to make about her schedule.

As one of the two finalists in Montreal, Mboko received a bye into the second round of this week’s Cincinnati Open.

Earlier this week, she mentioned she might pull out of Cincinnati depending on how things went in Montreal.

“Well right now I mean I’m entered in but I’m not sure,” Mboko said. “I want to see how I’m going to do here first. It’s still up in the air.”

After taking home the title in Montreal, some feel it would be wise for Mboko to skip Cincinnati and focus on preparing for New York. However, no matter what she chooses, fans are keenly waiting to see what comes next.