Ashleigh Barty is closing in on the world's top 20 after continuing her spectacular week in China with a straight-sets semi-final rout of French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Barty stormed into her third final of the year with a 6-3 6-0 drubbing of the Latvian at the prestigious Wuhan Open.
The 21-year-old will play France's world No.20 Caroline Garcia for the title and a $US487,245 ($A640,000) pay day after claiming her third top-10 scalp of the week.
Barty's 75-minute victory follows upset wins over fifth seed Johanna Konta, former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska and recently dethroned world No.1 Karolina Pliskova.
The inspired run has vaulted Barty to within one win of her second WTA title of the year after she broke through to land her maiden top-level tour trophy in Malaysia in March.
Incredibly, after starting the season at No.271 in the world, Barty is projected to soar to at least 23rd in the rankings on Monday, one spot behind Australian No.1 Daria Gavrilova and one above the great Serena Williams.
When Williams returns to the court in January, Barty is almost certain to be seeded for the first time at a grand slam following her breakout season.
"It been an unbelievable week," Barty said.
"We've played some really good tennis, been able to play a really consistent level throughout every match, haven't had any real drops.
Barty hit 15 winners, served seven aces and made just nine unforced errors with her backhand slice a big weapon in snapping Ostapenko's eight-match winning streak in Asia.
Riding a six-match winning streak of her own, Barty's last defeat came against eventual champion Sloane Stephens in the third round of the US Open.
Garcia ended the charge of Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari with a 6-3 6-2 semi-final win to give herself a shot at her first title of the year.
The champion will join grand slam champions Petra Kvitova (2014 and 2016) and Venus Williams (2015) on the Wuhan Open honour roll.
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