Barty, Australia open with Hopman Cup win
AAP
Ash Barty has given Australia the perfect start to their Hopman Cup campaign at RAC Arena in Perth with a straight sets win over France's Alize Cornet.
Cornet, who won the mixed-teams tournament with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2014, was under pressure from the 22-year-old world No.15 at regular intervals before Barty claimed the match 7-5 6-3.
Matt Ebden, who is ranked 46 in the world, can secure the tie for the hosts when he plays France's 32nd-ranked Lucas Pouille in the men's singles later on Saturday.
