Following their three-set final at the National Bank Open in Montreal, both Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka have officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open.
The tournament broke the news via social media on Friday, as seen below:
Both players had been given first-round “Performance Byes” in the draw due to their deep runs in Montreal, with Mboko initially scheduled to play her opening match in Cincinnati tomorrow against Diana Shnaider.
Shnaider will now face off against the winner of the Yuan Yue-Cristina Bucsa match that has been added to today’s schedule.
Additionally, with Osaka’s withdrawal, a match between Iva Jovic and Solana Sierra will also appear on today’s schedule, with the winner advancing to face off with Linda Noskova.
The withdrawals of both Mboko and Osaka aren’t entirely surprising given their deep runs in Montreal.
In the case of Mboko, following her big win on Thursday, the 18-year-old Canadian star indicated that she was planning to withdraw from the tournament, citing a wrist injury sustained in Wednesday’s semifinal match against Rybakina.
On the flip side, Osaka notably skipped out on her post-match press conference following Thursday’s final, giving no indication as to her plans for Cincinnati.
Victoria Mboko & Naomi Osaka Both Expected to Play at the US Open Despite Cincinnati Withdrawals
While both players have officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, both Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka are expected to play the US Open.
With her win in the National Bank Open final, Mboko is now up to No. 24 in the world on the WTA live rankings, meaning she will be seeded when first-round action begins in New York on Aug. 24.
In the case of Osaka, with her run to the final, the former world No. 1 is now up to No. 25 in the world once again, and will likely wind up being seeded at the US Open as well.
Both players have had big years so far, with Osaka notably winning a title at L’Open 35 de Saint Malo in France after starting the season ranked No. 50 in the world.
In the case of Mboko, it’s hard to understate just how much of a breakthrough year this has been for the teenage standout. After starting the season ranked No. 333 in the world, Mboko won five ITF titles before her maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal this week.
While fans will miss out on seeing both at the Cincinnati Open, hopefully both are rested and healthy once first-round action begins in New York.
ATP National Bank Open Winner Ben Shelton Congratulates Mboko on Big Win
Following her big win over Naomi Osaka, Victoria Mboko was congratulated by fellow National Bank Open winner Ben Shelton via Instagram.
After having his final against Karen Khachanov in Toronto interrupted by cheering Canadian fans who were celebrating Mboko’s win in Montreal, Shelton took to Instagram, congratulating the 18-year-old on her win:
“Congrats on the title Vicky Mboko. I had no idea what was going on at the time but Toronto went nuts for you.”
Ben Shelton congratulates Victoria Mboko on her win in Montreal.
Along with the congratulatory message, Shelton shared a clip of the moment Canadian fans found out Mboko prevailed in Montreal.
A special moment for Canadian tennis as the crowd hears news that Victoria Mboko has won the title in Montreal 🤩
#NBO25
Victoria Mboko & Naomi Osaka Officially Withdraw From Cincinnati