Ash Barty does not lose a game as she begins Australian Open campaign in ruthless fashion

Women’s world number one Ash Barty has sent a statement to her rivals with a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing of Danka Kovinić in the first round of the Australian Open.

In a remarkable start to Tuesday night’s match at Rod Laver Arena, Barty won the first 16 points to race through the first set against the world number 82 in just 18 minutes.

The second set was just as brutal, with the result setting up a second-round clash with fellow Australian Daria Gavrilova, who…