Tennis: Poland’s Świątek secures world No. 1 spot, moves on at Miami Open

Poland’s Iga Świątek clinched becoming the new world number one in women's tennis after she advanced to the third round of the Miami Open tournament in the US state of Florida on Friday.

Iga Świątek.

Photo: EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

The 20-year-old Pole, currently ranked world No. 2 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), needed to win her first match at the tournament in the United States to move into the top spot vacated by Australian Ashleigh Barty, who announced her retirement earlier this week.

Świątek saw off Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-0 in their second-round encounter at the Miami Open on Friday.

See you on Sunday @MiamiOpen! https://t.co/mbc7Goqttb

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) March 26, 2022

🥰I'm pretty sure that tomorrow the sun will shine exactly the same way as today but for now...it feels surreal.

No.1!!

🥰Jestem prawie pewna, że jutro słońce będzie świeciło tak samo jak dziś, póki co to wszystko wydaje się jednak nierealne.

Numer 1!!#1GA #whataride pic.twitter.com/3jUw1lI69d

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) March 26, 2022

She will officially take over as the new WTA world No. 1 when the tournament ends and the rankings are updated on April 4, becoming the first Polish player to hold that distinction.

Welcome to the club ☝️
@iga_swiatek is the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 Polish player in tennis history to become singles World No.1 🇵🇱
#1GA pic.twitter.com/W8IEJh9C1n

— wta (@WTA) March 26, 2022

Świątek last Sunday won the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at Indian Wells, California, claiming her fifth career singles title.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, AP, WTA