Rising star Olivia Gadecki is set to rocket into the world’s top 100 for the first time and become Australia’s highest-ranked female despite going down in her maiden WTA 500 final in Guadalajara after the best tournament of her fledgling career.

The 22-year-old from the Gold Coast entered the event ranked 152 but steamrolled her way past five higher-ranked opponents, losing just a single set on the way to becoming the first Australian to reach a WTA 500 singles final since Ash Barty in January 2022.

Coming up against Poland’s world No.43 Magdalena Frech in the decider, Gadecki took the first set to a tie-breaker and stayed with her opponent throughout the second set before going down 7-6, 6-4.

She pocketed a $130,660 cheque for her efforts, is sitting at 88 on the live rankings and has jumped seven other Australian players to be the nation’s No.1 ranked woman for the first time, surpassing veteran Daria Saville.

Gadecki is also in a strong position to earn direct entry into the Australian Open for the first time.

“I am so happy that I have been able to play my first final here in Guadalajara and I can’t wait to come back,” Gadecki said during the presentation ceremony.

“Being in the top 100 has been a massive goal of mine since I was very young and to now be in that range is incredible.”

A victory would have thrust Gadecki into the world’s top 60, but she’ll have to settle for the top 90.