“I guess I have to have a really good attitude tomorrow. I can’t let her not like me anymore.” When Naomi Osaka found out in her post-game presser after her SF win that her finals opponent had always idolized her, she could only feel honored. The emotional stakes got higher with the truth coming out. Yet, as they met on Court Central today, the competitiveness reigned supreme. The heavy favorite swept the first set 2-6 over the local talent. But Mboko didn’t give up.

The Canadian showcased her recovery skills as she leveled in the second set before eventually besting the Japanese star in a decider. Mboko won her first-ever WTA 1000 title with a score line of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 at just 18 years of age. Osaka, returning to her first ATP 1000s final after the maternity break, could not b

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