Poland's Iga Swiatek says becoming world number one issurreal after a second-round win in Miami means she will take the mantle from Ashleigh Barty.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Barty announced her retirement earlier this week, saying she would chase other dreams.
She had been world number one for 114 weeks.
Swiatek is the first Polish player to be at the top of the rankings.
Swiatek said that he never imagined that moment because he was working day-by-day and playing tennis well.
I never believed that it could actually happen. It's even more strange for me.
After winning the Indian Wells title last week, Swiatek extended her career-best 12- match winning streak with a 6-2 6-0 win against Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland in the Miami Open.
When the new ranking is released on April 4, Swiatek will take over from Barty.
If it is Iga, there is no better person, Barty said. She is a great player. She has brought a fresh, fearless energy to the court.
She deserves it. I hope she can take it and still be her, do it her way, and really chase what she wants in her career.
Linda Fruhvirtova, a 16-year-old from the Czech Republic, secured her place in the third round in Miami after beating world number 24 Elise Mertens.
American Coco Gauff and the Czech Republic's two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova also advanced.
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