Federer races to a 40-0 lead, the Swiss having the luxury of simply having to get out of the way of the ball as it sailed long in three straight points. Nadal sends a looping backhand back that just drops in to get his first point of the match, but a fourth error gifts Federer the game. That'll settle the Swiss' nerves.

Here we go, then. Roger Federer to serve...

Rafael Nadal is the first to take a seat after the warm up. He takes a look at his hand, touches the taping where his blister is, then has a drink of water before neatly placing it down in front of him, with the label facing forward obviously.

Stewart Mills:, external Come on Federer, as Prince used to say - let's party like its 2006

Jack Blackburn:, external Head says Nadal. Head also says Federer. Heart too excited to express an opinion

Dale:, external Fed has to stay aggressive & keep the points short. Only one winner if the two slug it out from the baseline, and that's Rafa.

John Lloyd
Former British number one and BBC Sport expert on BBC Two

"It's so great to see Federer play so well. You don't have had to be a great player to be a great coach but all great players do have doubts in themselves.

"You don't see it when they're on camera, but having Stefan Edberg in his corner might just give him a couple of things before the match, little hints that might help him. I think it's a masterstroke for these players getting these great champions in their corner."

Image source, AP

I think Nadal just shaded it in the reception stakes as they walked out on court. Federer wins the toss and chooses to which side of the net to start. Nadal then chooses to receive. Clearly neither wants to serve first...

Do you agree with Andrew Castle? Send us your thoughts on this match via Twitter, using the #bbctennis hashtag, by text on 81111 (UK only) or on Facebook by leaving a comment on our photo gallery. , external

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

"If he can defend on the backhand effectively and come to the net effectively Federer has a chance. If it was one set I'd fancy his chances more, but over five sets can you see Federer win?"

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are on their way to court. Federer is sporting a red zip up jacket, white shorts and bright red shoes. Nadal has his regulation blood orange trainers, with a red and black shirt.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"'The hand of a hero,' is how one Spanish paper described the world number one's blistered racquet hand. The pictures of his blood-red palm have certainly been arresting, but the word from some of Nadal's compatriots in the press room is that the situation is not quite as bad as feared.

"Much of the colour in those pictures was a result of antiseptic spray, and Nadal trained without any protective taping ahead of Friday's match. It is thought that if he makes it to the final, there will be no issue. The worry is only that a long battle with Federer could reopen the wound. Maybe the Swiss needs to throw a few jabs in the early rounds/games and see if he can get the fight/match, called off."

On Federer switching to a bigger racquet head, Pete Sampras said: "He's confident in this racquet. Maybe it's a little bit more speed on the serve, maybe a little bit easier on the high backhand, you'll see that tonight with Rafa.

"Once you get through that confidence stage with the tennis racquet and you get through some tough matches you're at peace and I think Roger is at peace with his technology and he's well on his way."

For those doubles fans out there, Errani and Vinci have beaten Makarova and Vesnina 6-4 3-6 7-5 to claim the women's doubles title. That means it won't be long until Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal walk out on court.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"'No comment,' said a smiling Pete Sampras when asked who he was going for tonight. The American is in town to present the trophy on Sunday, 20 years after his first win here. "I don't know Rafa well. I met him. I'm a huge fan of his whole thing. I know Roger quite well. We're friendly. I'll let you draw conclusions. It should be just a good battle with two heavyweights. Let's just sit back and appreciate it."

When Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal eventually get on court, they will be playing for a place in the final against Stansilas Wawrinka. The Swiss reached his first Grand Slam final with a hard-fought four-set victory over Tomas Berdych in Melbourne yesterday to raise the prospect of an all-Swiss final. Can Federer upset the world number one to make it happen?

Gwalch Mon:, external I'm a Rafa fan, but I just think we should be thankful we've had the opportunity to witness two of the best. Vamos Rafa!

Micmiester:, external Nadal will beat Federer convincingly.

Chrispus Njuguna:, external Roger is looking sharper again and I expect nothing short of an 18th grand slam in Australia.

We're live on BBC Two with Sue Barker, Andrew Castle and John Lloyd. You can also follow the action in the video console at the top of this page.

Nadal v Federer is due to start at 0830 GMT, but that's unlikely as the women's doubles final is still going strong out on Rod Laver Arena.

Top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci against third seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesina are into a third and deciding set and locked at five games apiece.

Rafael Nadal has spent 11 hours and 32 minutes on court negotiating his way to the semi-finals (which is nearly an hour more than Federer).

He needed just 41 minutes to see off Bernard Tomic in the first round after the young Australian retired hurt at the end of the first set. The Spaniard then went on to beat qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis, Frenchman Gael Monfils and 16th seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets before coming up against Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals. The Bulgarian put up a fight but Nadal eventually came through 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (9-7) 6-2

This is Federer's 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final but how did he get to this point? Read carefully and I shall tell you.

Image source, Getty Images

The sixth seed did not drop a set on his way to the quarter-finals, beating James Duckworth, Blaz Kavcic, Teymuraz Gabashvili and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The four-time Aussie Open champion then came up against Britain's Andy Murray, of course, but rolled back the years with a 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-7) 6-3 win over the Wimbledon champion and, so, here we are awaiting what Pete Sampras described as a "rivalry for the ages".

The obvious next question is would Pete Sampras turn his hand to coaching, following the likes of Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker who have teamed up with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic respectively?

"It's not for me," he said. "I've been asked by a couple of guys, but the travel, to go on the road and do what they do, is not something I'm interested in."

As previously mentioned, Roger Federer has signed up the six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg as his coach. What does Pete Sampras thing above the match-up?

"Stefan is a great guy," said the 42-year-old. "He knows the game, he's very relaxed. He'll be good for Roger. Roger is obviously a great player but sometimes you just get to a point where you need to hear a different voice."