Ranking rockets: Yastremska picks up momentum

Last week was the final chance for players to make a splash before the Australian Open. There were a number of players who made big jumps in the rankings, while some even earned career-high rankings, putting them in the best position possible for the first major of the year.

Here are the top ranking jumps of the past week:

1

+3 - No. 24 to No. 21

The Ukrainian teenager had a strong showing in Adelaide, not dropping a single set on her way to the final. Yastremska knocked out both Angelique Kerber and Aryna Sabalenka along the way. Her week finished as the runner-up to world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty. If you're going to lose, might as well lose to the best in the world.

2

+14 – No. 57 to No. 43

The Frenchman has broken into the Top 50 for the first time after earning his first career title in Auckland. Humbert defeated Benoit Paire and four Top 50 players along the way, including Casper Ruud, Denis Shapovalov and John Isner. It was only a year ago that the 21-year-old was ranked No. 95. His Melbourne campaign ended early with a first-round loss to John Millman.

3

+26 — No. 101 to No. 75

The Brit began her Australian swing with a great start, making it to the Hobart semifinals (where she was champion in 2015). She beat Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals, but eventually fell Elena Rybakina. However, her run pushed her to world No. 75, her highest ranking since April 2018.

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Dazzling play from @HeatherWatson92! ????#HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/VGK7h7iPyD — WTA (@WTA) January 17, 2020

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4

+19 — No. 91 to No. 72

One of the early qualifying success stories of 2020, the South African won his Adelaide qualifying matches and then beat three Top-40 players towards his first ATP Tour final. Despite being defeated by Andrey Rublev in the final, the 22-year-old still can appreciate a new career-high ranking of world No. 72. Like Humbert though, his Australian Open is already over with a quick exit to Diego Schwartzman.

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In the battle of the 22yo qualifiers who have been doing good at Challenger level, Lloyd Harris beats Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 to reach a first career ATP level final in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/AkzzBX7xiM — José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2020

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5

+4 – No. 30 to No. 26

The Kazakh is having a stellar 2020 season and January isn't even over. Rybakina made it to the final of Shenzhen and was the champion in Hobart, beating Zhang Shuai in straight sets in the final. Along the way, she defeated Tamara Zidansek, Alize Cornet, Lizette Cabrera and Watson. She started in Melbourne with a strong win over Bernarda Pera.

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♥️♥️♥️ #HobartTennis https://t.co/tqjhfNKtps — Hobart International (@HobartTennis) January 18, 2020

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