This season has marked several significant milestones for Moyuka Uchijima.

Her run included a notable victory on Sunday at the Mutua Madrid Open, where she defeated the No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula with a score of 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16. This win represented her first ever against a player ranked in the Top 25. Uchijima had previously overcome No. 26 seed Ons Jabeur in the second round; interestingly, Jabeur had beaten Pegula in the 2022 final at this very tournament.

Should Uchijima secure another win on Monday, it would propel her into the PIF WTA Rankings Top 50 for the very first time in her career.

Here are five key facts about the 23-year-old player from Japan:

1. She discovered her passion for tennis after exploring other sports

Uchijima was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and relocated to Tokyo, Japan, around the age of seven or eight. Her father Kazuto`s office at the Bristol Company had tennis courts located on the way to her elementary school.

Uchijima: “At that time I was doing swimming and basketball, but I wanted to try something else. So I started tennis with my sister. Swimming was tough. Every day you’re doing the same thing and basketball was mostly running every day and I didn’t like that. I really enjoyed hitting balls.”

2. She came to clay courts relatively late in her development

Uchijima trains in Guangzhou, China, alongside players like Zheng Saisai. However, she initially lacked extensive experience playing on clay surfaces.

Uchijima: “I played on hard court and artificial grass court — it’s what we have in Japan. Clay was really challenging for me, but a couple years ago I started to find my game on clay. And actually it suits the way I play the most. Last year it clicked. This year, I didn’t really get to practice on clay but, match by match, I’m getting better. Yeah, I’m starting to like clay more and more.”

3. Her confidence is growing with each match played

She is also setting personal benchmarks. Uchijima`s victory on Sunday marked the first instance in her career where she has achieved three consecutive wins at the WTA level, excluding results from the Billie Jean King Cup.

Uchijima: “I had a lot of close matches — against Mirra Andreeva in the Australian Open, Coco Gauff in Indian Wells. Yeah, I feel I’m able to play against those top players but couldn’t get the win, just last little hill I couldn’t go over. This week, even first round, I was getting killed by Robin [Montgomery, losing the first set 6-1]. But I just try not to think too much. Try to do what you can do at that moment.”

4. She progressed from ITF events to the Madrid main draw through dedication

Just two years prior, she was defeated in her first qualifying match here in Madrid. Last year, her ranking wasn`t sufficient to enter the qualifying draw, so she competed in (and won!) an ITF W100 event held at a different site in Madrid. This success was part of an impressive 19-match winning streak – which included three ITF titles, followed by qualifying for and reaching the second round of Roland Garros, ultimately propelling her into the Top 100 for the first time.

Uchijima: “Last year this time I was playing ITF and watching all these players on TV. And now, you are actually playing the same tournament. To come back here in main draw is really, really special and makes me happy. I still cannot believe it. I’m still in a dream.”

5. Japanese tennis icon Kei Nishikori was her childhood idol

Nishikori stands as one of Japan`s most accomplished tennis players, having reached a career-high ranking of World No. 4 and the US Open final in 2014.

Uchijima: “We actually went to the Olympics together last year. I was watching him on TV and actually like living the same life, in the same place. He played here many, many years and gave me some tips. I guess it’s working. He’s always my idol and I’m just really, really happy we are playing the same tournament. I hope I can keep going. I still cannot believe how I played today. Just hope to continue the solid game tomorrow or whenever I play. I don’t even know who I’m playing next.”