Garbiñe Muguruza’s star rose higher than ever in the month of October; not content merely to qualify for her BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global debut by winning her third round at the China Open, the Spaniard went all the way in Beijing – reaching her second straight final and winning the bigest title of her career. For the Wimbledon finalist, this fall has been a whirlwind.

“A lot of things have been going on in this Asia Swing,” Muguruza said after defeating Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets in Beijing. “But that’s good. I mean, to be able to live this, even if I lost in the final, that would have been good. Well, I won in the final. I qualified.

“It’s a lot of things happening that I have to calm down now and really think about it because it’s a big achievement.”

The achievements began to mount in Singapore; up to a career-high ranking of No.3, Muguruza blew through round robin play with wins over French Open finalist Lucie Safarova, Angelique Kerber, and Petra Kvitova before losing a thrilling three-setter to rival and eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

“I think it’s great. I’m very happy with this month. I think it’s proof that after the US Open I felt a little bit down, but I just cleared my mind and I came here, to give everything I have. I’m super happy the way I played. I think it’s amazing: Tokyo, Wuhan, Beijing, and here and be able to keep the level and go out there and just have amazing matches.”

Final Results for October’s WTA Rising Star Of The Month

1. Garbiñe Muguruza (58%)
2. Naomi Osaka (23%)
3. Karolina Pliskova (19%)

2015 WTA Rising Star of the Month Winners

September: Garbiñe Muguruza
August: Belinda Bencic
July: Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
June: Garbiñe Muguruza
May: Daria Gavrilova
April: Elina Svitolina
March: Sloane Stephens
February: Karolina Pliskova
January: Madison Keys

How it works:

Three finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com