Caroline Wozniacki became the first Danish player to attain the world number one ranking as she beat Petra Kvitova at the China Open on Thursday.
Wozniacki headed into the third round clash knowing she would topple Serena Williams provided she could see off her Czech opponent.
In the event she proved far too strong for Kvitova and a resounding 6-3 6-2 win saw move above Williams into top spot - the American not having competed since claiming her 13th grand slam title at Wimbledon.
Wozniacki sealed victory when Kvitova sent a service return into the net and jubilantly raised her arms aloft in celebration.
The 20-year-old Dane told reporters afterwards: "Being number one has always been a dream for me".
Wozniacki becomes the 20th woman to top the world rankings since they were introduced in 1975.
However, she is the third player in the last two years to have claimed top position without having won a grand slam title, following in the footsteps of Jelena Jankovic in 2008 and Dinara Safina in 2009.
