Ashleigh Barty can help Australian ease past France

Australia v France
Eurosport 2, 9.30am Saturday

Home advantage didn’t aid Australia in their pursuit of the Hopman Cup last season but they look a much healthier outfit with rising star Ashleigh Barty in their ranks and should ease past France in their Group A opener.

Daria Gavrilova is a fine player on her day, but her replacement Barty is a much more consistent operator and, therefore, a significant upgrade for the Aussies.

Barty, still only 22, has climbed up to 15 in the world rankings in little time at all and title triumphs in Nottingham and Zhuhai have announced her as the one of the game’s hottest prospects.

The Queensland girl should prove too explosive for Alize Cornet in her singles showdown, while her experience in a doubles format - she landed the US Open with Coco Vandeweghe last season - gives the Aussies the edge.

Matthew Ebden is Barty’s teammate and although considered the weak link, he may represent a spot of value for his clash with Lucas Pouille.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a successful campaign, the highlight being victories over Frances Tiafoe and Dominic Thiem on his way to the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters, and Pouille isn’t as daunting as once was the case.

The injury-blighted Frenchman, a previous top-ten performer, has dropped to number 32 in the world rankings and his record in Australia is poor.

Given his quality, it's a concern Pouille has not gone beyond the first round in the Australian Open in five attempts and Ebden, spurred on by home support, could have his measure.

A routine win is not out of the equation for Australia and they are strongly fancied to justify favouritism.

Recommendation
Australia to beat France
2pts 8-15 Coral, Ladbrokes
M Ebden to beat L Pouille
1pt 6-5 general

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