Victoria Mboko is making headlines with her outstanding performance at the Qatar Open, where she is set to face Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. The Canadian has already secured victories over Mirra Andreeva, Vera Zvonareva, and Marie Bouzková, showcasing her growing strength early in the season’s first WTA 1000 event.
Mboko’s impressive streak includes as many wins against world number one Aryna Sabalenka as she has since her breakthrough at last summer’s Canadian Open. Her progress has drawn attention not only from fans but also from tennis experts.
Legendary Coach Rick Macci Predicts Mboko Reaching the Top Spot
Rick Macci, the esteemed tennis hall of fame coach known for guiding Serena Williams, has expressed strong confidence in Mboko’s potential. Having watched the teenager capture titles at the Canadian Open and the Hong Kong Open, Macci believes Mboko is destined to ascend the WTA rankings.
After breaking into the top 20 earlier this year, Mboko’s next big target could be world number one, according to Macci.
Mboko has the raw firepower on the three big tickets items that spells a future number one,
Macci wrote on X.
He highlighted Mboko’s extraordinary speed on the court as a key factor in her rise, adding,
Add in great make up speed to live another day and Vic the quick is here to stay.
Since her Canadian Open win, Mboko has accumulated 27 match victories on the WTA Tour, a figure surpassed only by Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, underscoring her relentless upward trajectory.
Upcoming Challenge Against Elena Rybakina Holds Promise for Mboko
The upcoming quarter-final against Rybakina presents a challenging hurdle for Mboko, though past successes provide cause for optimism. Their only previous encounter ended in Mboko’s favor during the Canadian Open semi-final, which propelled her to claim that title.
Should Mboko overcome Rybakina again, she would advance to another WTA 1000 final, this time in Qatar, offering further momentum in her breakout season.
Potential Opponents and the Path Forward
The winner of the Mboko-Rybakina match will face either Jelena Ostapenko or Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the semi-final. Ostapenko remains unseeded but is still competing in doubles, while Cocciaretto has taken advantage of her lucky loser position to reach this stage.
Mboko appears well-positioned to challenge either opponent, provided she can maintain her focus and form through the tough contest against Rybakina.
Mboko has the raw firepower on the three big tickets items that spells a future number one. Add in great make up speed to live another day and Vic the quick is here to stay. @WTA
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) February 12, 2026
