October 2018 Breakthrough of the Month: Ashleigh Barty
On the back of the biggest title of her career, Australia's Ashleigh Barty earned your votes in the final Breakthrough of the Month poll in 2018.
The Aussie captured the season-ending title at the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, defeating China's Wang Qiang in the championship match.
Read more: Barty holds off Wang to win biggest title in Zhuhai
After falling to Aryna Sabalenka in her first match of the round robin, Barty defeated Caroline Garcia to keep her chances of reaching the knockout stage alive, and then dethroned defending champion Julia Goerges in the semifinals en route to the final match.
As a result of her win in the Chinese city, Barty also ends the season at a career-best ranking of World No.15.
Champions Corner: Ashleigh Barty soars to new career-high after Zhuhai title
"That's a really neat way to finish off the year. It's been a truly phenomenal year. My goal is to stay Top 20 and try and consolidate as best I can," she said after winning in Zhuhai.
"We've been able to do that and come away with a couple of titles, as well, and still being very successful in doubles. It's been a really, really amazing year. Now we get to go home to celebrate that and then prepare for bigger and better things in 2019, starting with the Australian summer."
Final Results for October's Breakthrough of the Month
1. Ashleigh Barty
2. Kiki Bertens
3. Anastasija Sevastova
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
Previous WTA Breakthroughs of the Month for 2018
January: Hsieh Su-wei
February: Daria Kasatkina
March: Danielle Collins
April: Ana Bogdan
May: Mihaela Buzarnescu
June: Tatjana Maria
July: Wang Qiang
August: Aryna Sabalenka
Spetember: Anett Kontaveit
