Australian Open: Ash Barty describes 'incredible' feeling after doling out 'double bagel'

Red-hot Russian Daniil Medvedev wins 15th straight match

Australia's Ashleigh Barty celebrates winning her first round match against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic. Reuters

World No 1 Ash Barty served Danka Kovinic a dreaded 'double bagel' in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, humiliating the error-prone Montenegrin 6-0 6-0.

Barty, looking to become the first homegrown champion at the Grand Slam since 1978, won the first 16 points of the one-sided contest and never looked back, wrapping up the win in 44 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

"This is what it's all about, this is incredible," the Australian said to cheers from the crowd.

"It's impossible not to enjoy a night session on this beautiful court."

Next up for Barty is a second-round match against Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo or local wildcard Daria Gavrilova.

Medvedev relishes hitting big time

Red-hot Russian Daniil Medvedev won his 15th straight match Tuesday and said he was relishing being among the favourites at the Australian Open after working "all my life to be one of them".

The world No 4 has been in blistering form as he looks to lift a maiden Grand Slam title, with 10 of his victories during the win streak against top-10 players.

He blasted past the 63rd-ranked Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 on Margaret Court Arena in his bid to become only the third Russian man to win a major title after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin.

"Me, I just try to win matches," said the 24-year-old.

"I get asked this question a lot, so if people consider me as a favourite, it's actually a good job because I worked all my life to be one of them, let's say top players in the world. So I'm happy that I'm part of them right now.

"But you know, you need to win seven matches," he added. "I just won one, so I need to win six more against very strong opponents, all of them."

Medvedev broke the Canadian in the first game and there was no looking back as he overpowered the 30-year-old, dominating from the baseline and forcing the Canadian into 43 unforced errors.