Victoria Mboko stepped up big time for Canada after completing a double duty and leading her nation to a win over Denmark in the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs.
After world No. 194 Cadence Brace got edged out 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-7 (4) by Rebecca Munk Mortensen, Canada found themselves in a tough spot in Group A, which is taking place in Mexico.
It was up to world No. 18 Mboko to keep her nation alive in the tie - and she did exactly that after beating world No. 554 Johanne Svendsen 7-5 6-3.
Early in the match, the top-ranked Canadian female tennis player struggled as 554th-ranked Svendsen opened a surprise 5-3 lead and even had a set point on her serve in the ninth game. But then, the reigning Montreal champion upped her game and impressively won the next four games to overturn the deficit and steal the first set.
In the second set, Mboko trailed 2-3 before going on another four-game winning run to wrap up her victory in straight sets.
After delivering in the singles, Mboko returned to the court for a deciding doubles match. There, she teamed up with Gabriela Dabrowski and triumphed again after they registered a 6-2 6-4 win over Svendsen and Emma Kamper Malmkjaer.
Mboko's reaction to beating Svendsen in the singles
I just wanted to play it point by point and not rush myself, and just believe in myself, the reigning Montreal champion said after beating Svendsen to help her nation force a deciding match.
Next up for Canada will be host nation Mexico. If the Canadians beat the Mexicans, they will secure a place in next year's Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
