Melbourne VIC, Australia, 22 November 2016 | tennis.com.au

Ash Barty has soared 50 places in the latest WTA rankings after a quarterfinal finish in Taipei.

The Aussie improved to world No.275, an exceptional ranking given she has only played four tournaments since her return to tennis following a near two-year absence.

Despite struggling with injury – she was off court for four months after Wimbledon with an arm injury and withdrew from her Taipei quarterfinal due to an abdominal issue – she has nonetheless compiled a win-loss record of 16-4 in 2016.

> Australian rankings

She has also returned to the Australian top five, one place behind Lizette Cabrera, who was another major improver this week.

The 18-year-old Queenslander has been the breakout Aussie star of 2016; after beginning the year outside the top 1,000, she’s nearing the top 200.

Cabrera vaulted 42 places to No.214 after reaching the title match at the $50,000 ITF event in Toyota, Japan, the biggest professional final of her young career.

> WTA rankings

She has won 23 of her last 28 matches.

At the concurrent men’s event in Toyota, James Duckworth won his third Challenger title of 2016 to come within a whisker of the top 100.

Duckworth improved 18 places to world No.104, his highest ranking since October 2015.

It’s been a rapid rise for Duckworth, who as recently as August was ranked outside the top 200 and struggling to gain momentum after an injury-plagued first half of the season.

> ATP rankings

Compatriot Luke Saville reached the semifinals in Toyota and jumped 35 spots to No.264 as a result of his run.

Yet the biggest mover among the Aussie men was Maverick Banes.

The Queenslander was rewarded for his strong form on the Australian Pro Tour, ascending 48 places to world No.371.

Two weeks ago, Banes won the Pro Tour title in Wollongong and last week reached the quarters in Blacktown.