Image source, Judy Murray on Twitter

Judy Murray:, external Pre match snack....

The warm-up is over. Last-minute hydration for both players before they hop back to the court. Berdych wipes his face with one of the official towels. We're seconds away. Let showdown commence.

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two

"In the build-up Murray said that Berdych was the slight favourite - that's nonsense. Murray is the favourite.

"There has been evidence in these past two weeks that Murray is getting back to his best. He is showing how good an opponent he is, his defence has been magnificent.

"He is physically strong, confident in his group and ready to win the tournament."

Image source, BBC Sport

It's been a while since Tomas Berdych competed at a Grand Slam final. In fact, it's been nearly five years. Doesn't time fly? Back in 2010 he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to reach the Wimbledon final where he was beaten by Rafael Nadal at SW19, but there's no shame in that.

Andrew Forbes:, external Vallverdu "knowing" Murray's game just means he knows Murray is solid pretty much all over the court. How can you plan for that?

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"There is a parting of the crowd outside Gate 13 as Team Murray sweep past, fiancée Kim Sears front and centre with Murray's mum Judy making relaxed chit chat with those who recognise her. And look out, we have a Minogue in the house! Danni is sitting in the VIP seats, quite rightly."

Image source, Getty Images

The players are warming-up on Rod Laver Arena and the majority of spectators are already in their seats.

As you probably know by now, Berdych has a fine record against Murray, beating the British number one in six of their 10 previous meetings. But don't hit the snooze button just yet because here's something you might not know: Berdych is one of just eight players to hold a positive Tour-level win-loss record against Murray.

The others? Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Mario Ancic, Milos Raonic, Arnaud Clement and Fernando Gonzalez.

Lynne Fison:, external Go Andy .... Make us proud.

Image source, Serena Williams on Twitter

Serena Williams:, external I just met Kenny Rogers. Was maybe too excited and told him I always karaoke his songs. He asked me what one and I said Lucille! #Truefan

Image source, Reuters

The semi-finalists are walking through the corridors of the Rod Laver Arena and are hopefully heading in the right direction.

For those of you who are just waking up; still in a zombie-like trance, hair like a toilet brush and toothpaste all over your chops, you may not know that Serena Williams will face Maria Sharapova in the women's final on Saturday.

World number two Sharapova won an all-Russian contest against Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2, while top seed Williams converted her ninth match point to beat fellow American Madison Keys 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

If you need more than words to sustain you through a Grand Slam semi-final (?!), there are moving pictures available at the top of this page from BBC Two. John Lloyd has his best suit on and is chatting to Sue in the studio. You can also listen to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra coverage on this page. A broadcasting hat-trick. Of sorts.

And, before we get down to business, don't forget you can get involved with the tennis chit-chat by tweeting #bbctennis or texting 81111. How much of an advantage is it for Berdych to have Murray's former coach in his team? Who will win this ruddy match? Let us know your thoughts.

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

What is Andy Murray getting up to in the locker room? Well, in the last 90 minutes he's eaten rice and played (and lost) a quiz. Leon Smith was with Murray earlier and explains what goes on behind the scenes.

"He's certainly in a relaxed but focused mood," says Smith. "Meters away you have Dani and Tomas doing their preparation as well. There's not much privacy but certainly Andy's in a good frame of mind for this.

"Right now he'll start his treatment, his preparation with his physiotherapist, who'll be stretching him out and getting his body ready and just before the match he'll go through exercises, ball catching and throwing.

"He eaten some rice and tomato sauce. Pretty bland food, but something that's not going to play havoc with him. Something that's reliable and solid, and he's hydrating.

"We play a lot of quizzes to pass the time. It's a random one, you can choose it on his iPhone. It's great fun. It allows the time to pass because you can't think about the game all the time."

Murray parted company with Vallverdu in November, which allowed the Venezuelan to link up with seventh seed Berdych. And, would you believe it, Murray and Berdych are now about to collide in the semi-finals.

Actually, Vallverdu, who happens to be a distant relative of Mystic Meg, predicted the pair would go head-to-head in Melbourne.

"When I was flying back from the Czech Republic in December with Ross Hutchins, I told him 'you know they are going to play in the semi-finals in Australia,'" said Vallverdu, who is available for horoscope readings on request.

Image source, EPA

Murray said after his quarter-final win over Nick Kyrgios that Berdych had a "huge advantage" with Vallverdu on his side, adding that the coach should be able to come up with a "perfect" game plan.

Pressed on being at a potential disadvantage, Murray responded: "I also know what Dani thinks of Berdych's game because he's told me, so it works both ways."

But is it a huge advantage? Is it? Tennis is not rocket science, is it Dani? "It can be a little bit of an advantage but everyone that knows tennis knows everyone's game. It's not rocket science," says Vallverdu.

Image source, Getty Images

What happens when a friend becomes a foe? Do you forget about those teenaged years playing tennis on Spanish clay. Is it possible to put aside those five years together as coach and player when Grand Slams were won and history was made?

Murray says it might be "weird" seeing former coach Dani Vallverdu cheering for Berdych, but as the Briton says: "My goal isn't to beat Dani; my goal is to beat Berdych."

Berdych is the older of the two but those two years of extra experience has not brought more success, with Murray winning 21 more titles than his big-serving opponent. (I've got better chat coming up, I promise. Or let's hope I have.)

Pat Cash
1987 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Murray holding the trophy on Sunday night. His body's in good shape; here he is in the semi-final and he's only lost a set. To be fresh at this time in the tournament is really, really important because the next couple of matches are going to be big. All the players are going to be hurting and being the fresher man could make the difference."

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Murray would probably have expected to meet Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. But he's out. Gone, gone, gone. The Scot would probably have expected to play Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. But he's also out. Gone, gone, gone.

What happened the last time both Nadal and Federer were knocked out before the semi-finals at a Grand Slam? Well, let's go back to Wimbledon, let's go back to 2013 and the end of a 77-year wait...

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"It's been a blustery old day at Melbourne Park and peaked at a miserly 19C, conditions which prompt memories of the 2012 US Open semi-final between Murray and Berdych. The Czech struggled badly in the New York wind, while Murray has always said learning the game in Scotland means it doesn't bother him. Berdych was out hitting on Rod Laver Arena a little while ago, with coach Dani Vallverdu at the other end, while Murray tested himself on an outside court with young Aussie Ben Mitchell."

Hello! Andy Murray was good against Nick Kyrgios. He was very good. The discipline and excellence he consistently displayed in the Ivan Lendl years has returned, but the British number one will probably have to dig a little deeper, fight a little harder, run a little longer to beat Tomas Berdych, the man standing in his way of the final. Welcome to live text coverage of the pair's Australian Open semi-final.