WUHAN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ashleigh Barty plays a backhand during the ladies singles final between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Caroline Garcia of France during Day 7of 2017 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open at Optics Valley International Tennis Center on September 30, 2017 in Wuhan, China. (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images)

Australian youngster Ash Barty has gone down in the Wuhan Open final in a thrilling three-setter to France's Caroline Garcia.

Bart served for the match on two occasions, before eventually losing 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

Despite the loss, Barty enjoyed a hugely successful week in China, rocketing up the rankings to No.23 in the world following upset wins over Johanna Konta, Agnieska Radwanska, Karolina Pliskova and Jelena Ostapenko to reach the final.

It continues a stunning rise for Barty, who now has 2,035 ranking points, after returning to the circuit in May 2016, having no points. She is now the No.2 ranked Australian women's player and only 100 points behind Daria Gavrilova in the rankings.