Mboko, 18 and playing in her first WTA final, denied Osaka her first tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open. Despite being a set down, she wore down the Japanese star, 27, who has struggled to find consistency since returning from maternity leave early in 2024.

Osaka has made some progress since returning in last year's Australian Open. She won two matches in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, has earned $725,727 in prize money so far and reached the No. 49 spot in the WTA rankings, with a higher ranking likely on the way by making the final.

Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko completed a dream run to the National Bank Open title Thursday night, overcoming a slow start to beat Japanese star Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.