Federer slips as he approaches a volley, losing his balance slightly, and as a result drops the ball in the net to give Nadal a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard sniffs this could be his chance, and completely bosses the next two points to lead 5-1 at the changeover.

Rahul Sampat: , externalThis match is better than the final. 2 legends of the game. Must go to 5!!!

AADZ:, external Got to back Rafa with Federer seemingly imploding in recent past. It will be good to see Federer magic

Jackie Chan:, external I think Federer has to win this set if he wants to win this match.

A brilliant 33-shot rally opens the game, with Federer the first man to break as he dumps a backhand in the net. Nadal clenches his fist and fires a stare up to his box. The Spaniard rattles off the next two points to open up a 40-0 lead, before Federer wins the next two points, the latter of which features a lovely deep approach shot that Nadal can do nothing about. It matters little, though, as Nadal wins the next point to seal the game. We have a tie-break, folks.

Federer races through his service game, dropping just one point, to make Nadal serve to stay in the set again.

Andrew Castle
Former British number one and BBC Sport expert on BBC Two

"Nadal's definitely not happy at the moment. The control from the back of the court is still being wrestled over by these two. Uncharacteristic errors from the Spaniard."

Nadal finds himself under a touch of pressure when he is hauled back level after going 0-30 up, but Federer misses a golden opportunity to earn his first break point (and set point) when he fires a forehand well long. And Nadal finds an ace to close out the game. The Spaniard still doesn't look comfortable out there, though, jogs up and down the baseline between games.

Nervy times for Federer, who once again faces a break point - the third of the match - but he lucks out when Nadal hits short and the Swiss latches on to it. Back to deuce. Two more Nadal errors follow and Federer survives. Again.

Anirudh G: , externalFor the sheer thrill and pleasure of watching two of the best players in the modern era, I wanna 5 Set Thriller!!!

walker-Samba-Panza:, external Hoping the match doesn't last so long as I can't concentrate on a Joint Venture Agreement am working on at the office. Vamos Rafa!

Image source, Getty Images

Federer puts a little pressure on the Nadal serve, whose blistered hand looks to be holding up OK so far, but he can't quite muster up his first break point of the match and Nadal holds to 30.

Meanwhile, away from Melbourne I bring you news on Laura Robson. The 20-year-old has withdrawn from Great Britain's upcoming Fed Cup tie in Hungary due to an on-going wrist injury. She will be replaced by 22-year-old Jocelyn Rae who received her first Fed Cup call up in 2011, and has won 10 ITF doubles titles.

Andrew Castle
Former British number one and BBC Sport expert on BBC Two

"The first mini crisis averted by Roger Federer. At love-15 down he played a very fine point. Ultimately, the game was decided by Nadal errors."

Oh dear. Federer is in a spot of bother. Nadal fires off a backhand winner to bring up 15-30 and then gets the first break points of the match with a brilliant forehand passing shot. Federer doesn't flinch, and sensibly lets a Nadal backhand go, and then looks back relieved to see it drop out. The Spaniard then fires into the tramlines to bring up deuce. Federer gets a game point, but sees it goes wanting. The second time round, he takes it as Nadal miscues a backhand and sends it flying up into it the cheap seats. Federer hangs in there.

Image source, Getty Images

Federer is really attacking the Nadal serve and going for his shots in the rallies, but he's not having a great deal of success at the moment. Nadal eases through the game without the loss of a point.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

There's an autumnal feel on Rod Laver Arena, with a cold wind gusting, grey clouds above and much rummaging at the changeovers for long-sleeved apparel. The roof could well be required again - all the way across - but for now the cut and thrust on court is holding the attention. And the support for Federer in particular is, as ever, verging on the delirious. Great atmosphere.

Blink and you'll miss it. Federer races through his service game, having been broken just twice in this tournament so far, winning it to love.

Hope Esperance:, external These two know each other's games so well it's almost as though they are playing against themselves.

Andy Simon:, external Wow; what a great Federer return!

Arya Tabrizi: , externalThat forehand return just made me scream and run around the room

Image source, Getty Images

Lovely pick up of an attempted Nadal passing shot from Federer and then good reactions to scoot across court to put away the volley. The Spaniard makes a charge for the net in the next point, but can't put away the return volley and suddenly Federer has a sniff at 0-30.

But Nadal unleashes a beautiful passing shot to claw one point back and is level when Federer goes long. At 40-30, Federer takes a chance and runs round the return on his backhand to unleash a huge forehand winner for deuce. But he follows it up with a sloppy backhand and can only watch on as Nadal throws in a forehand topspin cross-court volley winner. You don't see those very often.

Andrew Castle
Former British number one and BBC Sport expert on BBC Two

"It is a fascinating opening three games. It's more evidence of Federer feeling comfortable at the net and that really has something to do with Stefan Edberg, perhaps he gave Federer permission to come in and enjoy himself. He looks so good at the net."

Image source, Getty Images

Federer has a stab at coming into the net, but his approach shot isn't deep enough, nor does it have enough pace, so Nadal has no trouble sending a passing shot down the line for 30-30. He gets it right on the next point and then reacts well to a net cord, dropping the ball and then comfortably putting away the volley.

It's a comfortable service game for Nadal, too, the Spaniard firing all four firsts serves in as he races through to love in a little under two minutes.