Canadian whiz not fazed by Australian Open challenge

The rise seemed to have even surprised Mboko, who set herself a goal 12 months ago of being able to play in qualifying for the majors.

Even now she doesn't have high expectations - aiming to reach the second week.

"I feel like I've kind of exceeded that a little bit," she said.

"It's nice to look back and see how many tournaments I've played and the progression over the year and feel like I can be happy with how things have gone.

"I set honestly really low standards for myself a lot, so say maybe like second week of grand slam, just start there and then you see from then on."

Mboko has arrived to play in her first Australian Open main draw as a form player, losing the final of the Adelaide International to Mirra Andreeva after making her United Cup debut.

The Toronto product made the girls' doubles final at Melbourne Park in 2022.

But she expected a tough tussle against 17-year-old Jones, the world No.153 who is playing her second Open after also being given a wildcard last year.

"Yeah, I think I practised with her once at Wimbledon. She's a super nice girl," Mboko said of Jones on Sunday.

"I know she's been doing really well on the pro circuit and in juniors so I'm not expecting an easy match. 

"She's from here, so of course, the crowd will be behind her, but I think it's going to be a very entertaining match and I'm not expecting an easy fight."

Making it through to the third round of the 2025 French Open as a qualifier, Mboko won her first WTA title - the Canadian Open - in front of her own home crowd so knows what to expect on 1573 Arena on Monday afternoon.

She also had recent experience of being the visitor, downing Australian Kim Birrell in the semi-finals in Adelaide.

"Most players playing in their country, they're going to have the crowd behind them and last week I also played another Australian in Adelaide so I know what to expect and I'm looking forward to it," Mboko said. 

"Regardless of if the crowd's making noise in my favour or the opponent's, at the end of the day, you're still playing.

"I feel like if you're kind of winning ... and the crowd's not in your favour, they don't make as much noise anyway."

Jones is among six Australians in action on day two, headlined by Alex de Minaur, who faces American qualifying lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald.

Aleksandar Vukic plays Thiago Agustin Tirante, and wildcard Jordan Thompson also opens his campaign against an Argentine in Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Fellow wildcard Priscilla Hon faces Canadian qualifier Marina Stakusic, and veteran Ajla Tomljanovic meets Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva.  

In other feature matches on day two, 10-time champion Novak Djokovic takes on Spaniard Pedro Martinez, three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev meets Dutchman Jesper de Jong, women's world No.3 Coco Gauff is up against Kamilla Rakhimova and second seed Iga Swiatek tackles China's Yue Yuan.