Canadian 19-year-old defeats Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3
World No 1 wins against Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7)
Victoria Mboko has given herself a shot at Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, in the fourth round of the Australian Open, after the 19-year-old prodigy held her nerve at the end of an incredibly tense tussle to close out a 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3 win over the 14th seed Clara Tauson.
Mboko, seeded 17th in Melbourne, showed her mental toughness at the end of a quality match between two young players by playing an authoritative final set after squandering match points. Mboko had served for the match at 7-6 (5), 5-3 before losing her service game to love. She then generated three match points at 5-4 but while Mboko was extremely tight, Tauson struck the ball with total freedom to retrieve the break.
“I think it was just self-belief at the end,” Mboko said. “I had so many chances in the second set but I’ve got to give credit where it’s due, she was playing incredible tennis so I just had to lock in, in the important moments. This is my first time here so I’m really happy to go through to the fourth round.”
