Victoria Mboko continued her rapid rise up the rankings as she reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a 7-6 (5) 5-7 6-3 victory over 14th seed Clara Tauson at the Australian Open.
Mboko served for the second set and had three match points before Tauson fought back, but the 19-year-old showed maturity well beyond her years to ensure that setback did not derail her.
Mboko was one of five teenagers to reach the third round in the women’s singles, with fellow debutantes Tereza Valentova and Nikola Bartunkova also making a big impression along with 18-year-olds Mirra Andreeva and Iva Jovic.
But the Canadian is leading the teenage charge at Melbourne Park and has the world No 1 in her sights after her victory set up a last-16 tie against Aryna Sabalenka.
“There’s a lot of us teenagers on the tour who are actually still in the tournament right now,” said Mboko. “I think it’s really nice to see.
“I’ve known a lot of them for such a long time, played against them in the juniors. I always want them to do well and vice versa.”
Victoria Mboko, left, of Canada is congratulated by Clara Tauson
‘All over the place’ – Sabalenka labours past Potapova
Two-time former champion Sabalenka was far from her ruthless best as she wobbled against Anastasia Potapova before coming through 7-6 (4) 7-6 (7) to progress.
Sabalenka will need to raise her level from her error-strewn performance against Emma Raducanu’s conqueror Potapova, who had four set points in the second-set tie-break.
Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus, is congratulated by Anastasia Potapova
Sabalenka admitted emotionally she was “all over the place” but she again showed her mettle when she needed to, improving her open era record to 19 consecutive tie-breaks won at Grand Slams, dating back to a French Open semi-final loss to Karolina Muchova in 2023.
She is expecting a fierce battle from Mboko, saying: “I don’t believe that mentality they (teenagers) have nothing to lose because I’ve been in their shoes. You still go out there with hopes that you’re going to win this one, you’re going to be the young one to win the slam.”
Gauff survives Baptiste scare
Third seed Coco Gauff battled back from a set down to beat compatriot Hailey Baptiste and book her place in round four.
The 21-year-old lost the opening set 6-3, but adjustments to her serve laid the foundations for the comeback.
The American stormed through the second set 6-0 before closing out victory 6-3 in the third to set up a last‑16 tie against 19th seed Karolina Muchova.
Coco Gauff, left, of the U.S. is congratulated by compatriot Hailey Baptiste
“Hailey played so well in the first set; maybe it could have been a different outcome had a few points gone my way,” Gauff said.
“I didn’t change too much. I tried to get more first serves in. I tried to be aggressive with my serve placement and not be too passive.
“There were moments where I was a bit too passive, so honestly, I’m out there trying to figure out the balance along with everybody else.
“I wasn’t too upset, and I was able to raise my level. I’m happy with how I mentally stayed calm.”