Anastasia Potapova vs Victoria Mboko

🎾 WTA Washington – First Round Preview

Anastasia Potapova vs Victoria Mboko
22 July 2025, Washington (Hard Court)

🧠 Form & Context

Anastasia Potapova

• 🏆 2025 resume: 19–10 overall, with a WTA title already under her belt this season. Dominant indoors (7–1 record).
• 🎾 Hard-court rebuild: Just 5–5 in WTA-level hard-court matches this year, still searching for rhythm after a retirement in Berlin qualifiers.
• 🔄 DC struggles: Has yet to win a main-draw match in Washington, falling in the first round in both 2023 and 2024.
• 🎯 Big-hitting upside: Powerful from the baseline with the ability to strike sharp angles, thanks in part to her strong doubles instincts.

Victoria Mboko

• 🚀 Teen on the rise: Just 18, but already boasts a 45–8 record this year—including an 11–1 run on hard courts with five ITF titles.
• 💪 Hard-court strength: Her attacking forehand and point construction thrive on this surface.
• 🆕 Tour-level opportunity: Making her Washington debut, brimming with confidence from strong Slam qualifying performances and WTA-level wins in qualifying.
• 🧠 Calm under pressure: Plays with maturity beyond her age—poised in big moments and knows how to construct points with discipline.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match showcases a proven WTA contender versus a surging teenage prospect. Potapova’s blend of pace and shot variation gives her tools to trouble anyone, but her form on outdoor hard courts has been patchy. She’ll need to keep points short, dictate early, and avoid drawn-out rallies where Mboko can settle into rhythm.

Mboko, meanwhile, is flying high with match wins under her belt and a forehand that can do real damage. Her court speed and composure have stood out throughout the ITF season and Slam qualifiers. If Potapova doesn’t bring her A-game from the first point, the Canadian teen could take control through consistent pressure and deeper rally patterns.

🔮 Prediction

Victoria Mboko in 3 sets.
Potapova’s pedigree gives her a shot, but Mboko’s red-hot form and comfort on this surface make her a dangerous underdog. Expect momentum swings—but the Canadian’s fearless baseline aggression and growing maturity may be enough to pull off the upset.