Canada’s Mboko dispatches Zvonareva in straight sets at Qatar Open

Victoria Mboko of Canada celebrates her win over Lin Zhu of China during their match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

DOHA — Canada’s Victoria Mboko made quick work of former world No. 2 Vera Zvonareva to reach the round of 16 at the Qatar Open on Tuesday.

The 10th seed from Toronto won 6-4, 6-4 in a one-hour, 37-minute match at the WTA 1000 tournament.

Mboko hit six aces and won 71 per cent of her first-serve points. She broke Zvonareva twice in each set and erased seven of nine break points.

It was the first-ever meeting between the 19-year-old Mboko and the 41-year-old Russian.

Mboko, who improved her record this season to 10-3, entered the tournament with a career-high world ranking of No. 13.

Next up for Mboko is a rematch with fifth seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia. The two teen stars met in the final of the Adelaide International last month, with Andreeva winning 6-3, 6-1.

Andreeva opened her tournament with a 7-6 (0), 6-1 win over Poland’s Magda Linette on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2026