Swiatek Ascends To No. 1 In Miami; Gauff, Azarenka Advance, Osaka v Muchova Sat.

The WTA will have a new No. 1 once Miami finishes and it’s Iga Swiatek. The 20-year-old will become the first ever tennis player from Poland to reach the top spot in either ranking after his resounding 6-2, 6-0 win over Victorija Golubic.

With Ash Barty announcing her shock retirement earlier in the week, the door was open for the No. 2 player to move up, and Swiatek wrapped up that honor tonight in quick fashion.

“The thing is, I never really imagined that moment because, truth to be told, I was working day-by-day and playing tennis well,” Swiatek said. “But I never had the strong belief that it can actually happen. So, it’s even more surreal for me.

“I loved every moment of it. It doesn’t matter for me if there were fireworks. The crowd was really supportive, they were really excited. I’m just soaking everything in because I didn’t have any expectations.”

Swiatek is making her debut at No. 2 this week, and now goes a step higher. She becomes the 28th player to rank No. 1 on the WTA computer since 1975. And she’s also the youngest after Caroline Wozniacki who was also 20 in 2010.

“From my perspective, I don’t think anything will change. Maybe I’ve got to watch if I’m wearing clean clothes and representing tennis well. So, I’m going to be careful with that. But honestly, I’m the same person,” said Swiatek.

Earlier, Coco Gauff, who some think will also reach No. 1, eased past the tricky Wang Qiang 7-5, 6-4. Wang upset Gauff at the Australian Open in January.

Beatrice Haddad Maia stunned No. 3 Maria Sakkari and Shelby Rogers kept the seeds reeling ousting No. 10 Jelena Ostapenko. Madison Keys also lost but Petra Kvitova, Paula Badosa and former champion Victoria Azarenka advanced.

Jessica Pegula knocked out 2018 winner Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-4.

Sixteen-year-old Czech prodigy Linda Fruhvirtova bounced former Top 10 Elise Mertens 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.

“It’s definitely one of my best tournaments so far, I think the best one,” the teen said. “I never played against a Top 25 player, and it’s unbelievable. I still can’t believe it. But I’m so happy I got the win here. I worked really hard for this, and I’m enjoying it.

“But it’s unbelievable. It’s like, ‘[Did] that really happen or am I just dreaming?’ The feeling is amazing, you know. These are the moments we do it for.”

On Saturday, the third round gets underway with Naomi Osaka back in action against Karolina Muchova. Danielle Collins and Ons Jabeur are also scheduled.