Muchova reigns in Doha and wakes Mboko from her fairy tale

Pedro de Pablos | 14 Feb 2026 | 17.22

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Karolina Muchova has prevented Victoria Mboko from putting the finishing touch on her fairytale in the final of the WTA 1000 Doha. The Czech tennis player displayed great tennis to claim her second title of this caliber, against a Mboko who showed inexperience and unforced errors at the most crucial moments of the match. The score was 6-4 7-5, in an hour and a half of play.

Nevertheless, the Canadian tennis player has much to celebrate after this tournament. At just 19 years old, she has broken into the top-10 of the WTA rankings, defeating players of the caliber of Elena Rybakina -the reigning Australian Open champion- and Jelena Ostapenko -the reigning tournament champion. Mboko is a reality, and she is here to stay. Muchova, on her part, has shown why she is one of the most complete players on the circuit, and starting this Monday, she will be the number 11 in the world, just behind Mboko.

Mboko's erratic play gives the first set to Muchova

The first set had little history until 3-3, as both players held their serves without facing any break points. However, a shaky game on serve from the young Canadian allowed the Czech player to make the first and only break of the first set. With 5-3, Muchova even had a set point on Mboko's serve, and although Mboko saved it, she could do little in the following game as Karolina expertly used her skills at the net to leave no openings and claim the first set 6-4 displaying great tennis.

The second set seemed to follow the same path, as with the score tied at 2-2, Muchova had a 0-40 on Mboko's serve. However, Victoria played superbly, relying on a strong service game to navigate a critical moment. As often happens in these situations, this missed opportunity weighed heavily on the Czech player, giving confidence to the Canadian, who secured her first break of the match in the next game. The comeback seemed closer.

Mboko fails to capitalize on the advantage, and Muchova reigns in Doha

Mboko seemed poised for an epic achievement, but the joy was short-lived as she faltered when trying to consolidate the break. Senseless drop shots and numerous errors once again condemned her. The score was level once more, with pressure mounting on both players. Each game was a torture, and with 5-5, it was Muchova who again had two break points thanks to two incredible returns. Mboko saved the first, but the second ended with a backhand into the net from the Canadian, sealing her inevitable defeat.

Muchova didn't falter on her serve, closing out the final game to love and establishing herself as she is, an incredible champion. It had been seven years since her last victory of this magnitude, and a player of her caliber deserved such a reward. This defeat will serve Mboko to learn, much like the final of last year's WTA 1000 Toronto. She is very young, and feeling the pressure in such moments is normal. However, she will have many more opportunities like this, that's for sure.

Beyond the result, both players emerge strengthened for the WTA 1000 Dubai next week, where the absence of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek has opened up the possibilities for potential champions, with Mboko and Muchova likely starting as clear favorites to reach the later rounds. The key will be how they are physically after the fatigue accumulated this week, but in terms of tennis, it's clear they have all the necessary skills to continue climbing the rankings.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Muchova reina en Doha y despierta a Mboko de su cuento de hadas