Tennis-Barty clinic cheers Australia after Djokovic turmoil

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2022 Australia's Ashleigh Barty in action during her first round match against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko REUTERS/James Gourley

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Ash Barty showed a good host can lift spirits at the most subdued of parties as she thumped Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in a blistering start at the Australian Open on Monday to reach the second round.

With the deportation of men's champion Novak Djokovic leaving a massive hole at Melbourne Park and a major COVID-19 outbreak gripping the city, Barty's twilight clinic at Rod Laver Arena gave the tournament a much-needed boost.