Victoria Mboko was eliminated early in Beijing, falling to world No. 59 Anastasia Potapova 7-6(5), 7-5 in the China Open second round on Saturday.
The Canadian has lost two-straight matches for the first time this year after her first-round loss at the US Open.
Mboko couldn’t build off a majority of her breaks throughout the match as the 19-year-old was broken back on three of four occasions. The Torontonian was under significant pressure on her delivery, facing 16 break points and losing serve five times while committing 11 double faults.
The first of Mboko’s breaks came in the opening game as the world No. 23 hit an impressive crosscourt passing shot on the run at 15-40 to hold an early advantage. In the ensuing game, Mboko found herself in a 15-40 hole and, despite forcing deuce, was broken back.
At 5-5, love-40, the Canadian No. 1 had the perfect chance to set herself up to serve for the set and she capitalized on the third try.
Read also: Fernandez Sets Up Gauff Clash With Comfortable Win Over Sakkari in China Open Round Two
One hold away from taking the opener, Mboko fended off two break points but couldn’t serve out the set as Potapova forced a tiebreak.
Both players traded five-straight points to begin the tiebreak as Potapova’s 5-0 lead was cancelled out by a Mboko comeback. However, at 5-5, the Canadian hit her backhand long and faced set point, which Mboko was unable to save.
The Torontonian was under pressure to start the second set, facing three break points in her opening two service games but was only broken once as she trailed 1-3 after a Potapova hold.
Mboko was quick to return the pressure though. The National Bank Open champion broke twice-in-a-row and was serving for the set at 5-3.
Read also: Mboko Finding Comfort Amidst Life-Changing Success Thanks to Coaching Team
However, Mboko struggled to get the better of Potapova from that point on. The world No. 59 won 12-straight points to flip the script and lead 6-5, with a chance to serve out the match. At 40-15, Mboko’s forehand sailed out, completing Potapova’s second-set comeback and the match.
Leylah Annie Fernandez is the only Canadian remaining in Beijing. The Lavalloise will meet world No. 3 Coco Gauff in the third round on Sunday.
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
