Victoria Mboko has struggled to replicate the brilliance that earned her a title in her home country this past summer.
The 19-year-old Canadian faced a tough defeat on Saturday, losing 7-6 (5), 7-5 to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in the second round of the China Open.
Since her stunning victory at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal last August, Mboko has unfortunately dropped both of her subsequent matches.
After suffering a wrist injury during the semifinals of the NBO, she was not at her best during the U.S. Open, where she fell to Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in the first round.
Saturday’s match marked Mboko’s return to competition after her last match on August 26. As the No. 21 seed in this tournament and ranked No. 23 globally, she enjoyed a first-round bye at the WTA Tour 1000 event.
Potapova, currently ranked 59th in the world, reached a career-high of No. 21 earlier this year.
Previously, Mboko showcased her skill by defeating Potapova in straight sets in Washington last July.
The lone Canadian representation remaining in this tournament is No. 25 seed Leylah Fernandez, who is set to take on No. 2 Coco Gauff from the U.S. in the upcoming third round on Saturday.
