Agnieszka Radwanska spent much of her youth in Krakow sat in front of the television cheering her tennis heroine Martina Hingis on to more Grand Slam success.

With Poland boasting no tennis tradition to speak of, Radwanska might have been forgiven for giving up on her dream of emulating the likes of Hingis and becoming a Grand Slam star in her own right.

But this week in Miami, the 17-year-old was able to become one of an elite group of sports stars who are able to not only meet, but beat those same heroes who had once inspired them.

The fast-emerging Radwanska, now ranked 49 in the world but sure to cement her place deeper in the world's top 50, defeated Hingis 4-6 6-3 6-2 for a shock third round win in the Sony Ericsson Open.

"Before the match I didn't believe I could beat her because she was the favourite, and for a few years she was my favourite player," said Radwanska.

"I loved her matches against Steffi Graf, they were amazing. And now I was playing against her. She was very young and won a few Grand Slams. I had nothing to lose and I just played my best and did it."

Radwanska's breakthrough on the senior circuit has been predicted for some time. The world's number two ranked junior, she boasts two girls' Grand Slam singles titles to her name.

Having won the Wimbledon juniors in 2005, Radwanska made major waves on her WTA Tour debut in May the following her in Warsaw, when she stunned Anastasia Myskina to win her first ever senior match.

After claiming her second junior title at 2006 Roland Garros, Radwanska was rewarded with a wild card into Wimbledon, which she spectacularly justified by reaching the fourth round.

In doing so, Radwanska became only the fifth female wild card to progress so far in the competition, and she could hardly be upset about her eventual exit to the former world number one Kim Clijsters.

The vanquished Hingis believes it is too early to say whether Radwanska has what it takes to emulate her own multiple Grand Slam-winning achievements - but believes she has a chance of more success.

"She is very much up and down but definitely she has potential for the future," Hingis said.

"It is getting more and more difficult, but she played very well against me and made the most of her chances."

In the meantime Radwanska, who revealed in her post-match interview that she keeps two pet rats named Flippy and Floppy back home in Poland, will certainly keep her feet on the ground.

Hopes of making a first appearance in the Roland Garros senior draw this year may be scuppered because impending school exams require her to spend the whole of May away from the circuit to study.

"I have five exams to finish so I am not playing in matches in May because I am studying," added Radwanska.

"I hope to be back in time to reach the French Open, but we will see."