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Lars Hamer

Victoria Mboko won the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Sunday, beating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in a thrilling final that needed three sets and almost three hours to decide the winner.
Despite losing a 20-point tiebreak in a tight second set, the Canadian claimed the second title of her season at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, downing Bucsa in a match where both players pushed each other to the absolute limit on centre court.
The title could have gone to either player, as they shared 25 break points over two hours and 51 minutes, but it was world No 21 Mboko who sank to her knees in celebration, or perhaps exhaustion, winning 7-5, 6-7, 6-2.
“It feels pretty nice to end the season on a win at a tournament,” said Mboko, who embraced her father after the match.
“My dad has always been a big contributor in my tennis since I was very young … so I’ve always been very grateful that he’s able to travel with me and just to be with me at these tournaments, and honestly, to see me playing at the top level, I feel like it makes him happy.”

In the first set, the 27-year-old Bucsa fought off set point when 5-2 down before breaking back to level the set.
The second set started with each player winning three games in a row. Bucsa then got what should have been a decisive second break to go 6-5 up, only for Mboko to break to love, triggering a tense tiebreak where the 19-year-old had two championship points before losing 11-9.
“When I lost the tie breaker, I will admit it was a little bit painful, but yeah, that’s tennis for you,” Mboko said. “I just wanted to regroup as quickly as possible and really not dwell on the past and look ahead and honestly, just to pump up myself and be positive for the next amount of points.”
The match was decided when Mboko broke in the first game of the third set, before holding off two breakpoints in the second. She broke again to go 5-2 up and served out for the title.

Earlier, mainland China’s Jiang Xinyu and Wang Yafan were crowned the doubles champions and said they were now focused on National Games glory.
Jiang and Wang beat Momoko Kobori of Japan and Thailand’s Peangtarn Plipuech 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 12 minutes.
“We didn’t think we could become the champions, because in the previous tournaments, we didn’t play so well,” Wang said.
The tournament was only the second time Wang and Jiang had competed together, and now they will return to China and team up for Sichuan province.
“This is the last tournament [of the season], and we just wanted some game time together because the next tournament is the National Games,” Wang said.
Although the pair would not say whether they thought they could win gold, they did say that if they triumphed, the prize money would enable them to have a better season next year.
“I was injured for around six months, so we didn’t get to play much together this year – we played together only once at the US Open,” Wang said. “I’m feeling more confident, and we know better what we need to do next week.
“We hope we can make the semi-finals or the final, but no one knows. But it’s very important because if we are the champions, we will have more money for next year, like for travel and so on.”


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Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open

Victoria Mboko gives her Prudential Hong Kong Open trophy a kiss. Photo: Karma Lo

Cristina Bucsa tries to make a return during her final against Victoria Mboko. Photo: Karma Lo

Jiang Xinyu (left) and Wang Yafan of China said they were glad for the game time together. Photo: AFP

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Hong Kong fencer Kaylin Hsieh at the closing ceremony at Kai Tak Sports Avenue. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Hong Kong in action during their National Games match against Anhui at Kai Tak Arena on Saturday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Spectators cheer for Hong Kong’s men’s team at Kai Tak on Saturday evening. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong’s Kuo Sze-ming has an attempt on goal against Anhui at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sport

Tennis

Canadian ends season on high note with victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, while China’s Jiang Xinyu and Wang Yafan seal doubles title


Canadian ends season on high note with victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, while China’s Jiang Xinyu and Wang Yafan seal doubles title.


Hong Kong Tennis Association (HKTA)

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Victoria Mboko says it’s ‘pretty nice’ to win Hong Kong title after marathon 3-set thriller

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Canadian ends season on high note with victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, while China’s Jiang Xinyu and Wang Yafan seal doubles title

Canadian ends season on high note with victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, while China’s Jiang Xinyu and Wang Yafan seal doubles title