Mboko advances in Miami Open women's doubles, Fernandez bounced from singles Canada's Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva of Russia advanced to the Round of 16 in the women's doubles tournament at the Miami Open after defeating Australia's Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands 7-6 (7), 6-3 in the Round of 32 on Sunday. The Canadian-Russian pair will face Australia's Storm Hunter and Jessica Pegula of the United States in the next round. Mboko, from Burlington, Ont., and Andreeva will reunite on the doubles court for their Round of 16 match. Meanwhile, Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., suffered a straight-sets loss to Pegula 6-2, 6-2 in the Round of 32 of the women's singles tournament. Fernandez also faced a setback in the doubles event, partnering with Venus Williams of the U.S. to lose to New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and American Asia Muhammad in a best-of-three match. The top-seeded Fernandez and Williams took an early lead with a 6-3 first set, but Routliffe and Muhammad rallied to win the second and third sets 6-3, 13-11, securing their place in the Round of 16. Fernandez's singles and doubles exits mark a challenging week for the Canadian player, who had previously been a strong contender in the tournament. The loss in singles ends her run in the Miami Open, while the doubles defeat highlights the competitive nature of the event. In other matches, Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime will face France's Terence Atmane in the Round of 32 of the men's singles tournament on Monday. Auger-Aliassime's participation adds to the Canadian presence in the Miami Open, which also includes other players like Denis Shapovalov, who withdrew from the tournament earlier in the week.#mirra_andreeva #victoria_mboko #ellen_perez #demi_schuurs #storm_hunter
Mboko, Andreeva set for trilogy as Eala edges out Linette in Miami Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva are set for their third meeting of 2026 in the Miami Open, while 2025 Miami semifinalist Alexandra Eala advanced to the Round of 16 with a hard-fought victory over Magda Linette. The young stars of the WTA Tour will clash in the fourth round, continuing a rivalry that has already produced two intense matches this season. Mboko and Andreeva, both teenagers, have split their previous encounters, with Andreeva claiming her fourth WTA singles title in January and Mboko avenging that loss in Doha. Their upcoming showdown in Miami has generated significant anticipation, as they will also team up in doubles play. Eala’s path to the Round of 16 was marked by resilience, as she overcame Linette in a tightly contested match. After securing a straightforward first set, Eala faced a second-set tiebreak, where she capitalized on her opportunities to clinch the victory. The 19-year-old emphasized her determination, stating she focused on executing her game plan despite Linette’s efforts to elevate her play. Eala’s performance against Linette, who had previously defeated Iga Swiatek, highlights her growing confidence on the tour. She will now face Karolina Muchova, the Doha champion, in the next round, a matchup she described as both a privilege and a challenge. Mboko and Andreeva’s rivalry has developed rapidly since the start of the 2026 season. Their first meeting in January saw Andreeva secure a decisive win, but Mboko turned the tables in Doha with a thrilling three-set victory. The Canadian player credited her ability to save a match point during that encounter, which ultimately led her to the tournament final.#alexandra_eala #mirra_andreeva #karolina_muchova #victoria_mboko #magda_linette
Teen Titans Collide: Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko renew rising rivalry in Miami Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko, both ranked in the world’s top 10, are set to face off in Miami as their young careers continue to evolve. The match marks their third encounter of 2026, with both players already showing signs of becoming future Grand Slam contenders. Andreeva, known for her defensive skills and powerful backhand, has reached a career-high ranking of No. 5, while Mboko, who rose to No. 12 this month, has quietly built momentum with consistent results. Their rivalry, which began with doubles partnerships at Indian Wells and Miami, now takes center stage in the Miami Open’s early rounds. The pair split their first two meetings, with Andreeva securing an easy victory in the Adelaide final and Mboko earning a hard-fought third-set win in Doha. Mboko’s resilience in tight matches has become a key strength, as she has shown an ability to recover from setbacks. Meanwhile, Andreeva’s volatility—marked by sharp peaks and valleys in form—has made her an unpredictable opponent. Despite her talent, Mboko’s composure and knack for comebacks give her an edge on the quick hard courts of Miami, where the crowd is expected to be highly supportive. Analysts predict Mboko will emerge victorious in this matchup. The Miami Open also features high-profile clashes between rising stars and established players. In the men’s draw, Jakub Mensik and Frances Tiafoe are set to meet in a rematch of their Davis Cup encounter. Both players have struggled with consistency in recent months, but Tiafoe’s recent resurgence under new coach Mark Kovacs has positioned him as a strong contender. Mensik, the defending 1000 champion, faces a critical test as he aims to maintain his upward trajectory.#miami_open #frances_tiafoe #mirra_andreeva #victoria_mboko #jakub_mensik
2026 Miami Open presented by Itau: Blinkova vs. Mboko Prediction, Odds and Match Preview Anna Blinkova, ranked No. 92, will face Victoria Mboko, the No. 9 seed, in the Round of 64 at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Thursday. Mboko is heavily favored to advance, with betting odds of -1587, while Blinkova is listed at +750. The match is set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, where the tournament has drawn significant attention for its high-profile matchups and competitive atmosphere. The odds for the encounter are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook, with the latest updates reflecting the current market conditions as of Wednesday at 6:36 PM ET. Fans and bettors can access a comprehensive list of sports betting odds through USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub for additional insights. The matchup is expected to be a test of form, as Mboko’s higher ranking and experience in Grand Slam tournaments may give her an edge over Blinkova’s underdog status. Blinkova’s chances of winning are estimated at 94.1% based on the implied probability derived from the moneyline odds, which highlights the significant disparity in favor of Mboko. However, Blinkova’s recent performances and ability to compete against higher-ranked players could introduce unpredictability. The match will likely hinge on Mboko’s consistency in high-pressure situations and Blinkova’s capacity to capitalize on her opponent’s potential mistakes. Both players bring distinct styles to the court. Mboko, known for her aggressive baseline play and strong serve, has demonstrated resilience in critical moments during her career. Blinkova, on the other hand, has shown flashes of brilliance with her powerful groundstrokes and ability to dictate points.#betmgm_sportsbook #victoria_mboko #miami_open_presented_by_itau #anna_blinkova #hard_rock_stadium
Indian Wells: Sabalenka Triumphs Over Mboko, Swiatek Falls, Zverev Joins Big Four Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over 19-year-old Canadian talent Victoria Mboko, while Iga Swiatek suffered a three-set defeat to Elina Svitolina. Sabalenka, a two-time runner-up at the tournament, praised Mboko’s courage and hailed her as a “future Grand Slam champion,” acknowledging the young player’s aggressive style and determination. The Belarusian’s win came after a tense first set, where Mboko pushed her to a tie-break, which Sabalenka claimed 7-6 (7-0) before sealing the second set with a decisive break in the fifth game, winning 6-4. Sabalenka’s path to the semi-finals continues as she faces 14th seed Linda Noskova, who advanced after a hard-fought victory over Australian qualifier Talia Gibson. Gibson, ranked 112th in the world, had become the first qualifier in 11 years to reach the quarter-finals by defeating seventh seed Jasmine Paolini. Noskova’s win over Gibson, which ended the qualifier’s run, sets up a clash between the Czech and the Belarusian in the next round. Swiatek, the 2022 and 2024 Indian Wells champion, was ousted by Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in three sets. Svitolina, the ninth seed, capitalized on a series of double faults to dominate the first set, winning it in 38 minutes. Swiatek fought back to force a decider but could not match Svitolina’s consistency in the third set, falling 6-2 4-6 6-4. Svitolina’s victory marks her first semi-final appearance in seven years and sets her up to face Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who advanced with a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) win over Jessica Pegula.#aryna_sabalenka #alexander_zverev #iga_swiatek #elina_svitolina #victoria_mboko
Aryna Sabalenka advances to the semifinals of the Indian Wells Open after defeating Victoria Mboko, while Elina Svitolina ousts Iga Swiatek in a hard-fought quarterfinal. Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s player, overcame Mboko in a three-set match, winning 7-6 (0), 6-4. The 10th-seeded Canadian, who had previously defeated Sabalenka in the fourth round of the Australian Open, put up a strong challenge, but the Belarusian star maintained her composure to secure her place in the semifinals. Sabalenka, who has not dropped a set in the tournament, credited her focus during critical moments as key to her victory. She will face Linda Noskova of Czechia in the semifinals, a 14th seed who defeated unseeded Australian Talia Gibson in three sets. Meanwhile, Svitolina, the ninth-seeded Ukrainian, ended Swiatek’s run in the tournament with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory. The third set saw Svitolina break to take a 5-4 lead and hold serve for the win. She will next face Elena Rybakina, who defeated American Jessica Pegula in two sets. In the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev advanced to the semifinals. Medvedev’s path included a controversial ruling in his match against Jack Draper. The defending champion lost a disputed point in the third set, which officials overturned in favor of Medvedev. Draper argued that the point should not have been awarded, as the ruling appeared to favor Medvedev despite the players’ subsequent play. Medvedev, who accepted the decision, will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Cameron Norrie in the semifinals. Sinner and Zverev will meet in the other men’s semifinal, with Sinner serving 10 aces in his straight-sets victory over Learner Tien. Zverev, meanwhile, dominated with 72% of his first serves in play during his win over Arthur Fils.#jannik_sinner #aryna_sabalenka #iga_swiatek #elina_svitolina #victoria_mboko
Aryna Sabalenka Set to Face Victoria Mboko in BNP Paribas Open Quarterfinals Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, will compete against Victoria Mboko, ranked No. 10, in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California. Sabalenka and Mboko previously met at the 2026 Australian Open, where Sabalenka secured a straight-sets victory. The contest will be broadcast on Tennis Channel and streamed live on FuboTV and DIRECTV, both offering free trials. Sabalenka, who has maintained her top ranking in women’s tennis, has been making headlines beyond the court. During a post-match interview following her round-of-16 victory over Naomi Osaka, she introduced her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Ash, as a key member of her support team. Sabalenka credited the puppy with providing “mental health support,” helping her stay calm and focused amid her history of on-court emotional outbursts. “Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash and I feel better,” she said, as commentators on Tennis Channel held and petted the dog. The dog’s presence has become a recurring topic in Sabalenka’s public appearances. She recently shared news of Ash on social media, calling the puppy a “new addition” to Team Tiger, her group of coaches, trainers, and staff. Sabalenka also revealed that she had a deal with her coach, Anton Dubrov, to get a dog if she won last year’s U.S. Open. While she initially considered a Dachshund, she chose a spaniel, citing her mother’s fondness for the breed and the breed’s reputation as a good family dog. Sabalenka named her puppy Ash as a tribute to American tennis legend Arthur Ashe, after whom the U.S. Open’s main court is named.#aryna_sabalenka #bnparibas_open #tennis_channel #victoria_mboko #ash
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Victoria Mboko: Where to Watch, Preview and Prediction The 19-year-old Sabalenka, already ranked in the Top 10, admitted she’s still in disbelief at her rapid rise in the sport. Despite her high status, she remains focused on her next challenge: facing Victoria Mboko in the Indian Wells quarterfinals. Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian, has quickly made a name for herself with her aggressive style and resilience. Mboko’s path to the quarterfinals included a strong performance in the Doha 1000 tournament, where she reached the final and climbed from No. 18 to No. 10 in the rankings. She has shown she can handle big-hitting opponents, as evidenced by her recent victory over Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. However, her previous encounter with Sabalenka in the Australian Open was a stark contrast. Sabalenka dominated the match, winning the first set 6-1 and forcing Mboko into a second-set tiebreaker. For this rematch, Sabalenka aims to assert her dominance on the baseline, recalling her recent win over Naomi Osaka. Her power and consistency have been key factors in her success, but Mboko’s ability to counterattack and her speed could pose a challenge. While Mboko has improved significantly in the past two months, she may still need to learn from the WTA’s top players to fully compete with Sabalenka. The match is set for 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 11, and will be streamed on the Tennis Channel app. Sabalenka’s experience and physicality give her the edge, but Mboko’s determination and recent form make her a formidable opponent. Despite the odds, Mboko remains confident she can hold her own against the top seed. Tennis Channel Plus Logo All eight singles quarterfinals at the BNP Paribas Open take place on Thursday, March 11, with matches streaming on the Tennis Channel app.#aryna_sabalenka #bnpparibas_open #tennis_channel #victoria_mboko #doha_1000
Indian Wells preview: Sabalenka vs. Mboko headlines Thursday’s quarterfinal day The Indian Wells tournament kicks off its quarterfinal stage on Thursday, with top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka set to face Victoria Mboko in a rematch from the Australian Open. The match, which will take place under scorching desert temperatures, marks a pivotal moment for both players. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, will aim to extend her dominance over Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian phenom who has rapidly climbed the rankings. Meanwhile, qualifier Talia Gibson and hard-hitting No. 14 Linda Noskova will battle for a chance to reach their first Grand Slam semifinals. Sabalenka’s path to the quarters has been marked by her aggressive style and precision. She defeated former champion Naomi Osaka in a straight-sets victory, showcasing her ability to control rallies with a 70% first-serve success rate and zero double faults. Her performance against Osaka, which included eight aces, highlights her consistency and power. Sabalenka’s confidence is further bolstered by her 14-1 record in 2026, with only a loss to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. Against Mboko, she will need to maintain her focus, as the Canadian has shown resilience in her own right. Mboko, now ranked in the Top 10, has made a name for herself with her aggressive play and ability to overcome top-tier opponents. Her 6-4, 6-1 victory over No. 6 Amanda Anisimova in just 73 minutes underscores her rapid rise. This is Mboko’s third WTA 1000 quarterfinal in seven appearances, and she has already secured four wins against Top 10 players this year—only Jessica Pegula has matched that feat. Reflecting on her previous loss to Sabalenka in Melbourne, Mboko acknowledged the challenge ahead. “She was able to push me off the court a lot more,” she said.#aryna_sabalenka #indian_wells #talia_gibson #linda_noskova #victoria_mboko
