PERTH — Local favorite Matthew Ebden's come-from-behind win ensured Australia beat France on the opening day of the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth Saturday.

Ebden came from a set down to beat the higher ranked Lucas Pouille as he and Ashleigh Barty beat the French duo of Pouille and Alize Cornet 2-1 in their Group A tie.

World No. 15 Barty had given Australia the early ascendancy with a polished straight-sets win over Cornet, a former Hopman Cup winner.

Ebden then secured the tie for the host nation by coming from a set down to beat Pouille, who went cold after a blistering start.

Ranked 46th in the world, Ebden was playing in front of his hometown crowd and turned the match by snaring the second set tie-breaker after looking likely to be blown away by Pouille early.

Ebden raced to a 6-2 lead in the tiebreaker and then held off the 32nd-ranked Frenchman to level the match.

He continued that good form into the third set, claiming two breaks of serve to win 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.

Ebden was delighted to secure the win in front of family and friends.

"It means so much to be out here playing," he said.

"There wasn't much rhythm until the second set, I was able to get a little bit more aggressive."

Barty is Australia's top-ranked singles player and had too much class for the cagey Cornet, winning 7-5, 6-3 against the world number 45.

France won the dead mixed doubles rubber in straight sets. — AFP