Iga Swiatek defeats Naomi Osaka to win Miami Open ahead of rise to No.1 rank

 Iga Swiatek of Poland clinched the world No. 1 position with a straight sets victory against Naomi Osaka in the Miami Open on Saturday.

Swiatek won the match by a score of 6-4, 6-0.

Swiatek, 20, praised her teammates and fans in a brief speech after her triumph and also conveyed a message to Ukraine, which has been under Russian siege for weeks: Swiatek advised, "Stay strong."

Swiatek was already certain of ascending to the top spot in the women's rankings even before the Miami event, following her recent victory at Indian Wells and the untimely retirement of Ashleigh Barty, who held the No. 1 spot.

On Monday, the rankings will be announced.

Swiatek's victory on Saturday was momentous in more ways than one.

She is the fourth woman to win the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami), and the first to win the first three Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournaments in a season, following Victoria Azarenka in 2016.

She will also be the first Polish woman to reach the top of the singles tennis rankings.

After the match, Osaka told Swiatek, "Watching your journey is very fantastic." "I hope you keep having a good time."

Osaka, a four-time grand slam winner, played in her first final since winning the Australian Open in 2021.

Osaka thanked her supporters and fans in her own post-match address, saying, "I know I haven't been in this situation for a little minute."

"I realise this isn't what you guys wanted, but I'm having a lot of fun up here," she added. "I hope I can keep working hard and receive more opportunities to be in a scenario like this again."

Osaka also praised her teammates for their unwavering support, even "after the events of two weeks ago."

"They're like the rock that never leaves my side. I just want to express my gratitude to you all "According to Osaka.

Osaka was heckled by a spectator during her second-round match against Veronika Kudermetova at Indian Wells last month.

Following the first game of the match, a spectator appeared to cry out, "Naomi, you stink," a comment that moved the tennis star to tears on the court. It's unclear whether or not that spectator was identified and escorted out of the event. In the end, Osaka was defeated in straight sets.