Shelton Shines, Mboko Stuns

Love-Love Letter #20 | Aug 4 - 7

Your tennis cheat sheet — for fans who like the game, but don’t want to live on Tennis Twitter.

🌍 Where in the World Are We?

The Canadian Open wrapped last night - Ben Shelton lifted the trophy in Toronto, and hometown favorite Victoria Mboko turned a wildcard into a fairytale title run in Montreal. This year’s edition was bigger than ever, expanding to a 96-player draw and a 12-day schedule to match other Masters 1000s.

The problem? That “just like the big kids” format now bleeds right into Cincinnati Open - another Masters 1000, the last stop on the hard court circuit before the US Open - which already started yesterday. Some players went straight from their finals trophy photos to boarding a flight, others skipped Canada entirely to be fresh for Cincy, and a few are still wondering why the calendar looks like it was planned by someone who’s never opened Google Maps.

Early Cincinnati action has already seen big names easing in with opening-round wins, plus a couple of notable early exits.

✅ Results You Should Know

Victoria Mboko def. Naomi Osaka 2–6, 6–4, 6–1 (Montreal Final, Aug 7)
💡 Why it matters: At 18, the Canadian wildcard ranked No. 85 just won her first WTA 1000 - at home - and beat four Grand Slam champions along the way (Kenin, Gauff, Rybakina, Osaka). Big deal, indeed.

Ben Shelton def. Karen Khachanov 6–7(5), 6–4, 7–6(3) (Toronto Final, Aug 7)
💡 Why it matters: Biggest title of Shelton’s career - his first Masters 1000 - and he got there by winning a deciding-set tiebreak in three different matches (R3 vs Nakashima, R4 vs Cobolli, and the final). Clutch certified.

Naomi Osaka def. Clara Tauson 6–2, 7–6(7) (Montreal SF, Aug 7)
💡 Why it matters: Osaka’s most complete win of the week to reach her first WTA 1000 final in three years. She’s back?

🔥 Can’t-Miss Highlights

🎥 Insane get from Mboko
Osaka thought the point was over but Mboko had other plans.
▶️ Watch here (start at 0:00)

🎥 Shelton with the cross-court flick
Shelton takes the second set over Khachanov in a pretty epic rally
▶️ Watch here (start at 5:41)

📆 What to Watch For

📺 How to Watch 

• In the U.S.: Catch the Cincinnati Open live on Tennis Channel and stream matches on Tennis Channel Plus. ESPN+ may carry select sessions - check your cable or streaming provider schedule.

• Outside the U.S.: Tune in via ATP Tour or WTA TV platforms, or check local broadcasters for regional coverage and live streams.

Some Round 1 matches to look out for today:

• Learner Tien vs. Leandro Riedi
  💡 The 19-year-old American wildcard has been riding a wave of momentum since his breakout earlier this year. Against Switzerland’s Riedi, he’s got a big chance to keep making noise in front of the home crowd.

• Maria Sakkari vs. Kamilla Rakhimova
  💡 Sakkari’s been hot-and-cold lately, but she’s still dangerous on hard courts. Rakhimova’s a tricky opponent, and this could be closer than the rankings suggest.

• Hugo Dellien vs. Reilly Opelka
  💡 Opelka’s power is always a show in itself, and after an injury-plagued stretch, the American is looking to re-establish himself at the tail end of the season.

📰 Off-Court Happenings

Not a ton notable over the last four days - plenty of on-court action.

👗 An Outfit Worth Seeing

Victoria Mbuko Finals Fit

• The Look: Mboko lit up the court in a vibrant royal blue tank dress with a full pleated skirt - the fit was athletic, the color bold, and the movement impeccable.

• Why It Stands Out: This wasn’t just style - it was statement style. The blue put her in the spotlight, and the skirt’s fluid lines mirrored every confident step she took during her title run. It was the look of a breakout moment.

• Vibe Check: Confident, crisp, and absolutely 2025 Canadian Open energy.