How Djokovic made Open final

1. Djokovic wins 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-0
2. Djokovic makes record fifth Aussie Open final
3. World number one will play Andy Murray in final
4. Last four Grand Slam meetings with Wawrinka have gone to five sets
5. Serb loses first sets of tournament

Saturday comes before Sunday, however, which means Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will go head-to-head in tomorrow's women's final. Can Sharapova end a 11-year losing streak against the world number one or will Williams win her 19th Grand Slam title? There will be game-by-game live text commentary for that match, which will also be live on BBC Two and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. Tune in or miss out. Bye for now.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

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"Katie has had a terrific run here and she has earned this moment. It is a big moment for her. Everyone I have spoken to is full of praise. Some players have ability, which she clearly has, but what she also has is a real hard-work ethic and that will take her further in the game."

'It's amazing, I never thought I would get here'

Some quotes from 15-year-old Briton Katie Swan, who has reached the final of the girls' singles competition, which takes place on Rod Lever Arena on Saturday. Swan, who grew up in Bristol, lost the opening set 6-0 to opponent Dalma Galfi before winning the deciding set 7-5 and will now play Tereza Mihalikova in the final.

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She said: "I can't really believe that I'm going to get that opportunity. I'm really excited and hopefully the nerves won't affect my game. Hopefully I can win tomorrow but if not, I just want to play my game and see how it goes.

"I went down pretty fast in the first set and I just had to stay strong mentally, every point counted," added Swan.

"I was struggling with moving and I took some salt, which helped a lot. When I was serving I felt my whole leg wanting to collapse. I've had cramps before but not that bad. That was tough.

"I saw the physio, so I'm better than I was on court, and they told me what to do so that tomorrow I'll be ready to go."

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"I think Andy Murray will win the final, I really do. He has got his game back in place where we saw him win Wimbledon. He is serving aggressively and well.

"On his second serve he has to keep the speed and variety, but the rest of his game is looking great. And, more importantly, he is moving well, which he wasn't last year because of his back injury."

BBC coverage

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For those of you north of the equator who like to spend your Saturday evenings in the local ale house, Sunday's men's final might be a tad early. But the good news is, the BBC coverage will (possibly) soothe a sore head.

Murray versus Djokoivc will be live on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website. The build up from Melbourne will start on 5 live Breakfast from 06:00 GMT, while BBC One is on air at 08:15 GMT. The live text commentary will start at around 08:00 GMT.

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Should Djokovic beat Murray on Sunday, he would become only the second man in history to win five or more Australian Open titles. Who was the first? Roy Emerson. But perhaps we're getting a little ahead of ourselves...

Another final for Djokovic

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That's that, then. Djokovic has equalled Stafan Edberg and Roger Federer and shares top spot for the most Australian Open final appearances. Will Murray be worried that Djokovic has yet to lose an Australian Open final?

Match statistics

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Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Stan Wawrinka was not able to bring his 'A' game but on the other hand neither did Novak Djokovic. It was a match that presented opportunities for both players, but, despite being several levels below his best, Djokovic found a way to win."

'If he plays like this, Murray wins'

Former British women's number one Anne Keothavong on Twitter: "Djokovic was not at his best but through to another Aussie Open final. If he plays like this in the final then Murray wins."

So what has Djokovic got to say about a Sunday showdown against Andy Murray? Not much, really. "Andy and I go back to when we were 12 years old, that's when we first played each other. We've known each other a long time, it's nice to play another Grand Slam final against him."

"Stan is a quality player," adds Djokovic. "I made my life very complicated on the court. Playing semi-finals against defending champion, there's a lot of tensions, a lot of emotions and sometimes you can't keep track of the score.

Asked whether he struggled physically, Djokovic says: "I had, my game depends on how well I move. I was too defensive in the second and fourth set and Stan stepped it up. After that I managed to stay consistent and tough in the right moments and served well when I needed to."

Wawrinka made 69 errors in the match so it is perhaps no surprise he returns to the locker room a defeated man. It was an odd match with a peculiar end.

"Credit for Stan for playing well," says Djokovic. "I think I played well 2-1 up and a break up, and I just played a couple of loose games, I allowed him to come back to the match."

Game, set and match

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The scoreline is perhaps unfair on Wawrinka because he doesn't deserve to beaten so soundly, but if you make so many needless errors against Djokovic then the top seed will punish you. A flick of the wrist from Djokovic, entertaining the crowd with an inch-perfect lob. 30-30. He delves a little further into his bag of tricks, producing a meaty backhand winner down the line for match point and Wawrinka nets. The defending champion is out and Djokovic is through to his fifth Australian Open final.

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Lord Josh Howells: I don't normally watch tennis, but this game is keeping me from paying attention in my module.

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But what's this? The referee has reached five and the defending champion, his sweat and spittle still on the canvas, returns to his knees - another tasty backhand winner for break point. Djokovic holds firm in a crisis. From advantage to deuce to break point to deuce to advantage. Phew. Cat-like reflexes at the net from Wawrinka to bring the score back to 40-40, but Djokovic nudges ahead again and concludes an intriguing game with a majestic ace.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"It's an awful long way back now for Stan Wawrinka. He has handed out too many cheap unforced errors in the fifth set despite having the momentum after winning the fourth set. You thought he would be able to carry that on, but he hasn't.

"There's not been many long relays or top exchanges. We normally see rallies that go 15, 20 or 25 shots but not today because both players have not been timing the ball well. But hopefully we will still see some drama in the rest of this set."

You can listen to live commentary of this game by hitting the play button at the top of this page.

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Saarah Farooqi: What a nail-biting semi! I'm about to take off for Tokyo and won't know the result for another 12 hours. Fifth set tie break needed.

Djokovic breaks

The pair firing blows from the baseline like two boxers in the final stages of a heavyweight contents. How many more punches has Wawrinka left to throw? Oh my giddy aunt, that was close. Wawrinka unleashes a mighty serve down the 'T' which turns out to be an ace by the width of a butterfly's wing.

From 30-30 to deuce, the world number four directing a tired drop shot towards the tape. Djokovic stepping in on the return, he's preparing to knock his opponent onto the canvas, and so he does. Wawrinka with a backhand into the tramlines. Break point. Wawrinka with a sloppy forehand and he's on the floor, and the referee begins his countdown from 10.

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Alex Jacob White: Not paying attention to anything in this seminar because of this match.

Alice Stainer: Trying to achieve great things this morning but Wawrinka-Djokovic thwarting me. Exciting not the word. Come on Stan, you're the man.

The Fitphiles: Fair play to Novak Djokovic he's such a good example of a fair sportsman. Serious without taking it too seriously.

A Wawrinka return sails long and Djokovic looks skywards, the sight of a relieved man who knows, at 40-15, he is just within one point of tapping a nail into Wawrinka's coffin. Boris Becker seems to have ants in his pants, he's scuffling uneasily in his seat and nervously jumps out of his chair once Djokovic has made sure of the game.

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Djokovic breaks

A double fault from Wawrinka - his fourth of the match - is the cherry on top of the parfait for Djokovic because he now has two break points. Wawrinka saves one... but what about the next point? Djokovic passive, content to retrieve all day long, while Wawrinka is prepared to gamble, though this time he loses his chips, a dodgy backhand and Djokovic is back in control.

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Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"This match was written to become a five-set match with all the history and the flow of the match. It has been up and down and one player has gone ahead then given the lead back on a plate.

"You get the feeling Stan Wawrinka is maybe in a slightly better place in his game. He looks a bit more secure. You know what to expect with Wawrinka. He is a shot-maker, a powerful player and he will hit winners. But so much of Novak Djokovic's game is about his resilience, but you don't feel he is coping with Wawrinka's power at the moment."

Oh boy, it's going to take some stamina and nerve to get through this set. Neither player has had the upper had for too long in this match, but Wawrinka has dazzled on occasions with his shot-making so, perhaps, he is the slight favourite. When the Serb attempts to unleash some venom he usually overcooks it, which is what he does with a forehand which causes a sprinkle of nervous energy to ripple through the stadium at 15-30.

Djokovic fights back - but a well-timed Wawrinka backhand into the corner takes us to deuce. Another delicious backhand from Wawrinka. In or out? Out or in? It's called out, Wawrinka didn't hear the call... there's a debate between the players and the judge. Wawrinka says: "I thought you were challenging." Djokovic accepts the explanation and returns to defend a break point. Another backhand into the same corner from Wawrinka, but this time it bounces long. Djokovic with a rare foray into the tape... Wawrinka racing along the baseline and is a fraction wide with the forehand. Wawrinka a fraction wide with a forehand into the other corner and Djokovic escapes.

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Statistics so far

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Game and fourth set

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Wawrinka with a serve towards the Djokovic ribcage and the Serb can't get his feet out of the way. But on the next point Djokovic plays with the freedom of a man with nothing to lose and that unnerves Wawrinka, who crashes a backhand into the tramlines. But a thunderclap of a serve from Wawrinka brings up two set points and a phenomenal forehand from Wawrinka ends the set. The spectators are yee-hawingly vocal. Anyone for a fifth set?

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Ed Allchorne: The quality of tennis in this match is just outrageously high at the moment.

James Alex: Considering their fantastic battles why isn't Wawrinka v Djokovic ever the Grand Slam Final itself. That's what fans love.

Charles Nurick: I'm meant to be doing work but this match won't let me! Bye bye education.

Vote result

Earlier today we asked who you want to face Andy Murray in the final.

Well, the results are in and 65.5% want Stan Wawrinka to fight back and move into Sunday's final, with 34.5% voting for Novak Djokovic.

You might just get your wish on this form...

At 30-15 Wawrinka has a chance on the Djokovic serve but he swishes too early on the backhand return and nets. Perhaps the Swiss is saving himself for tougher contests. Djokovic with a pretty straightforward hold.

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Tom Holmes: Djoko v Stan looks to be an absolute thriller and I'm stuck in a lecture following it on BBC Sport.

Wawrinka's power from the baseline is unsettling Djokovic and the usually relentless Serb is unable to grapple any sort of momentum from the back of the court. The finest returner in the game goes long, allowing Wawrinka to assert his dominance with a hold to love.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"The match has come to life and this is what we have waited for. The crowd are getting excited. The story of the match continues. Who really wants this?

"I'm sure they both do, but it's bizarre seeing the number of unforced errors. Andy Murray must be rubbing his hands with delight that this match may be going to five sets."

Wawrinka breaks

Wawrinka looks towards the other side of the net, it's almost as if he's doing a double-take to make sure the man in blue is Novak Djokovic because the top seed's serves are strangely below par. The Swiss with three break points and, much to the delight of the crowd, he breaks.

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The rallies are becoming longer, both players peppering the court with crafty shots at zany angles as they attempt to outwit the other. Wawrinka with a stunning backhand winner down the line for 30-0. Circus shots from the Swiss as he retrieves a Djokovic lob - he then sprints towards the darkest corner of the baseline to fetch a Djokovic overhead... the crowd scream as if they're on a rollercoaster... Wawrinka still going, attempting to catch another overhead but this time he fails. The world number four has found his groove and holds to 30.

Djokovic keeping the points short so I'll keep the sentences just as short. By the time I put a full stop at the end of this sentence the Serb has held to 15 and is in front again.

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Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Somebody has to get some sustained period of quality and whoever does that will go on to win this set. There is something written in the stars that says this will go the distance into five sets. "

Wawrinka lifts his racquet towards the pavilion and kisses his cap as he hits the half-century, rattling off 51 unforced errors so far in this match, no 52, no 53. Djokovic just a bystander in this game, watching Wawrinka teetering. Three break points. Wow! One saved a stonking forehand winner into the corner from the Swiss. Wow! Wow! Wow! Two saved as the defending champion's drop shot kisses the tramline. Wawrinka raises his index finger. Djokovic puffs his cheeks. A mammoth rally ensues... Djokovic folding like a deckhair in the wind and we're back to deuce! Marvellous.

The pair now working the crowd like two old music hall queens. Super from Wawrinka - clobbering an overhead beyond Djokovic. The Serb's forehand drifts long on the next point and Wawrinka is back and firing.

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Wawrinka breaks back

At 15-30 Wawrinka has a sniff... and there's a strong stench of an upset as a lineswoman screams "out" only for HawkEye to show that Djokovic's forehand was in by 0.000001mm. We play the point again, but Djokovic is still off-par, gifting Wawrinka two break points and my oh my, that's ugly from a flat-footed Djokovic, dragging a backhand wide to surrender the initiative.

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Martin: The more you see of this match, the more you fancy Andy Murray to lift the title.

Aveed Wocha: Andy on present form could and probably should win the final in straight sets.

Andrew Neill: Neither looking like their best. This will come down to belief and which way the pendulum has swung in the latter stages.

Djokovic breaks

Wawrinka wrong foots Djokovic with a thunderclap of a forehand, but still finds himself having to defend a break point. A big serve comes to the Swiss' rescue, to deuce we go, and an ill-judged forehand from Djokovic allows the defending champion to nudge ahead to advantage. Djokovic pulls Wawrinka back to deuce, but the Swiss wrestles himself free with a 120mph boomer of an ace. They wouldn't employ Wawrinka on Wall Street, however, because the the 29-year-old can't close out the deal. Djokovic with break point... Wawrinka attacks; races to the net but slaps the volley into the tape.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"A bizarre moment at the end of the third set as Djokovic appeared not to realise he'd won the set, and had to have it pointed out to him by the umpire before walking back to his chair grinning and shaking his head."

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Novak Djokovic does not look himself and does not look to have the same focus as he would do normally."

Third set stats

BBC Sport

So, we're into a fourth set and there hasn't been much razzle-dazzle or thigh slapping in this match. It's been a tale of uncharacteristic errors rather than brilliant winners, with Wawrinka making 45 unforced errors in total. A confident hold of serve from Djokovic as we patiently wait for some fireworks to explode.

Game and third set

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The crowd are whipped into a frenzy as Wawrinka produces a magical shot, stooping to scoop a forehand volley over the net to leave Djokovic looking like a muggle. Even Djokovic raises is racquet and taps his strings in admiration of his opponent's wizardry. Wawrinka strolling at 40-15, but he blunders with a double fault. A minor fault or a moment to regret? It could be the latter as the Swiss botches a forehand. Deuce. Djokovic upping the ante... collecting a break point and Wawrinka bows out with a netted forehand. In one game the Swiss goes from wizard to mere mortal.

Sloppy errors blighting both players. Wawrinka hooks a backhand over the baseline and Djokovic, at 40-15, has the space to breathe a little easier. Djokovic fans sigh in relief as Wawrinka's radar malfunctions again. The Serb holds to 15 and Wawrinka must serve to stay in the set.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"British junior Katie Swan has just faced the busiest press conference of her young career after a lengthy bout of treatment. The 15-year-old overcame cramp and saved three match points to win a dramatic girls' semi-final. 'I never give up and keep fighting until the end, because it's never over until it's over, which I proved today. I just hope people think of me as someone who's really, really tough to beat.'"

More success for Whiley

Britain's Jordanne Whiley and her Japanese partner Yui Kamiji have won their fifth consecutive Grand Slam wheelchair doubles title.

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They saved a matchpoint to beat the Dutch pair of Jiske Griffioen and Aniek Van Koot 4-6 6-4 7-5 in three sets in an Australian Open final which lasted three hours and 21 minutes.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Wawrinka giving Djokovic little chance with a hat-trick of bodacious first serves. Another first serve down the 'T'... Djokovic dives to his right, gets some graphite on it but the ball spins wildly out of control and Wawrinka levels.

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Tony Stewart: Djokovic has this inner spirit inside him that tells him to fight on even when he's weak. It's beautiful, but also scary.

Luc Turnbull: Stan has this match, Djokovic is looking nervous.

Robin Armstrong: Some serious "mockers", on the text updates. Each time "Novak is cruising" bang goes the service game.

Neil McDonald: This is tough to call, Stan seems to be at home at the Australian Open and can find a big match game here.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Novak Djokovic is not winning enough points on the second serve of Stan Wawrinka and we would normally say that his return of serve is Djokovic's biggest strength."

As we have seen in the past, Djokovic has infinite reserves of willpower and he will need to dig deep to come through his scrappy form. A hold to love is the nerve-easer that the doctor would have ordered.

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At one side of the net is the best player in the world, one of the sport's greats, a four-time champion of this tournament. At the other side is a defending champion who has oodles of power and even more belief since he won this tournament 12 months ago. Their form has been patchy in this match, but someone's got to win.

Djokovic hitting with greater freedom in this game which is why we're level at 30-30. Wawrinka, though, turns himself into an intimidating beast at the net which perhaps explains why the top seed plonks a backhand into the tape. The net has turned into an impenetrable barrier for Djokovic and we're back on serve.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Stan Wawrinka will feel he can get back into the match. It's amazing how one player finds form and the other one goes completely off his game. Novak Djokovic is making it more difficult than it needs to be and he has had opportunities to move away in this set.

"The match is topsy-turvy and we haven't had both players playing well at the same time. We always want these incredible matches but we can't always have it like that."

Wawrinka breaks back

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Wawrinka mixing it up, dancing towards the tape and seeing off his rival with a cushioned volley. A clench of the fist from the Swiss, deafening roars from the crowd as he gathers a 0-30 lead. Three break points soon come Wawrinka's way and Djokovic sinks like a soufflé - screwing a backhand volley into the tramlines. A strange game from Djokovic.

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Niall Murray: You always feel Novak has another gear to go up whenever he sees fit.

Two drop shots from Djokovic, and the collective groans which ripple around the arena tells you what the spectator think of those shots. Two easy points for Wawrinka, but Djokovic hauls himself back into contention at 30-30 thanks to needless errors from Wawrinka. And another mistake - a limp backhand into the tramlines - gives Djokovic a break point. Wawrinka holds firm in a crisis, though.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Stan Wawrinka was looking good after the end of the second set and got himself into a great position in the opening game of the third set.

"He had a break-point opportunity, but with an open court he missed and since that moment he has lost some inner belief. Novak Djokovic has definitely raised his game by doing what he does best, being so resilient. All of a sudden Djokovic looks in control."

Djokovic has flicked a switch and his engine is now firing. A fist-pump from Boris Becker on the sidelines as his charge comes out on top of a baseline brawl. Steely defence from Djokovic forcing Wawrinka to club a forehand long for 40-15. The Serb isn't home and dry yet, though, with Wawrinka nibbling at his lead at 40-30, but the defending champion fires into the tramlines again and if Wawrinka is to win this contest he will probably have to go the distance.

Djokovic breaks

The Djokovic backhand is not singing from the same hymn sheet as the other parts of the Serb's game. But the Djokovic forehand is hitting the high notes, a dreamy winner gives the top seed a chance at 30-15 and the pressure tells as Wawrinka falters. Two break points Djokovic. The pair trade missiles from the baseline... Wawrinka, on the front foot, seems in control, but his forehand drifts over the baseline. The Swiss punished for his impatience.

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Second set stats

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Wawrinka leaves the court before the start of the third set for a toilet break. When nature calls, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. The defending champion does what he does quickly, though, and we're ready to rock.

What has Djokovic got up his sleeve? Will he go on the attack to stop Wawrinka bullying him from the baseline? At 30-30 the Serb is struggling and a tired backhand fails to sail over the net, gift wrapping a break point for Wawrinka in expensive paper and a pretty ribbon. Here we go. Wawrinka preparing to open his present. He steps in from the baseline... Djokovic is on his heels... Wawrinka has acres of the court to aim at but, oof, he fires a backhand into the tramlines. Deuce.

Another chance for Wawrinka, he thinks he's earned a second break point thanks to a crackerjack of a forehand but Djokovic challenges and HawkEye proves there's nothing wrong with the Serb's eyesight.

Advantage. Deuce. Advantage. A magical forehand winner from Wawrinka in between all the excitement and an iffy Djokovic challenge. A marathon of a game which ends in Djokovic's favour when Wawrinka slaps a forehand into the net. And breathe.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Stan Wawrinka is feeling good about himself now. He is taking the ball early and is timing his shots very well. Everyone can settle in now for a tennis match. It's one set each and I'm sure the standard will go up as the players settle into the rhythm.

"We're one hour, 20 minutes into the match and it's time for the players to settle down, play to their strengths and see who can come out on top."

Game and second set

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Wawrinka cruising on a street named easy at 30-0 and he's dominating his opponent. Djokovic retrieving, but never seems in a position to turn defence into attack and the steely-eyed Swiss thunders an overhead beyond his opponent to skip to a 40-0 lead. The Swiss cleans up thanks to a rasping serve and this match is bubbling up nicely. We should have a tasty main course ready for the third set. By the way, that's the first set Djokovic has dropped in this tournament.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"We're seeing glimpses of some of the tennis we are hoping to see, but it has been more about who is making errors. Novak Djokovic is definitely out of sorts and is not playing as well as he has done before.

"He played Raonic before so he should be used to the ball coming through quickly, but he has not got the same depth to his shots today."

There is such a thing as too much power. Wawrinka overcooks a forehand and any hope he had of breaking Djokovic again in this set is gone, gone, gone. Djokovic with a straightforward hold.

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Marc McPherson: Djoko and Wawrinka are going to five sets. You know it, I know it.

Paul Collins: Djokovic won the Australian open before with combined 10 hours 43 minutes playing time in just the semi and final. Murray needs Stan to win.

We haven't heard much from Wawrinka since he turned the air blue at the beginning of the first set, but the Swiss yells "come on" as he goes 40-15 up with Djokovic going long. Djokovic proving that he could be a craftsman of note with a deft backhand volley to rein Wawrinka in to 40-30. The Serb questioning Wawrinka's nerve and the Swiss butchers a forehand. From 40-15 to deuce. Blimey. The defending champion comes swaggering through the minor blip, though, with the Djokovic backhand breaking down, and now the Serb must serve to stay in the set.

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Paul Collins: Djokovic is "average" apparently and wins the set, Murray drops only slightly off best against Berdych and loses the set.

Alex Allison: Would love an Isner v Mahut to tire these guys out.

Gordon Taylor: I don't mind who plays Andy Murray in the final. They way he is playing he can beat anyone on his day.

Wawrinka breaks

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Djokovic groaning, such is the power he unleashes on a venomous forehand winner for a 30-0 lead. It's best to keep your distance from fluffy yellow balls travelling at such speed. Decibels rise inside the arena, though, as Djokovic sprints towards the net but is beaten as Wawrinka beautifully threads a single-handed backhand down the line. 30-30. Eyebrows being raised. Will he? Could he? Break point Wawrinka! Djokovic gambling like a high roller at a Las Vegas casino on the second serve and it doesn't pay off. A double fault and the world number one meekly surrenders.

At 15-15, these behemoths of the game become embroiled in a lengthy rally. Djokovic probing the Wawrinka backhand, but finding no weakness... Wawrinka bosses the point from the back of the court and brings an end to some enjoyable shenanigans by crunching a forehand into the corner. The Serb creeping back into contention at 40-30 with an inch-perfect return, but, on the next point, Djokovic is unable to laser another return over the barrier and Wawrinka nips ahead.

Brilliant from Djokovic as he approaches the net and puts away a volley with a feather-soft touch. The camera goes in search of coach Boris Becker, who is nodding in approval and probably saying to himself: 'That's my boy'. The Serb untroubled, comfortably holding to love again.

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First set stats

BBC Sport

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Wawrinka bounces the ball on the service line, tosses it up towards the Melbourne sky, arches his back and that ball is only going in One Direction (see picture), straight down the middle of the 'T' for a peach of an ace. No tales of comebacks or mishaps in this game, with Wawrinka holding to love. The match has yet to burst into glorious Technicolor. Not that it's being played in black and white, but in this HD age we had expected a greater array of colourful shots.

It's been well-documented that the Djokovic serve has improved since Boris Becker was added to his coaching staff. His howitzers now have more zip, and Wawrinka is currently unable to read the boomers which are being launched in his direction. The Swiss spraying his returns here, there and everywhere, like an out-of-control hosepipe, and Djokovic holds to love with ease. Peasy.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Stan Wawrinka needs to find some rhythm. He was in a good position in the first set and gave away his lead, but both players will be disappointed in terms of how they are hitting the ball. Novak Djokovic will be relieved taking that first set but he has not played anywhere near his best tennis.

"They are two experienced players and they still get nervous. They are playing in a big arena and the pressure is big. They both succumbed to nerves in the first set."

BBC Sport

For those of you who like facts - victory against Wawrinka would be Djokovic's 49th at the Australian Open and would see him leap above Andre Agassi on the all-time list of most Australian Open match victories in the Open Era. Who's top? Roger Federer. Head and shoulders above the rest.

On Rod Laver Arena, Wawrinka coughs up a double fault, his first of the match, and Djokovic finds himself 0-30 to the good. Wawrinka steals one point back, but a baseline slug-fest ends in Djokovic's favour and the Serb has two break points. He wastes both and, at deuce, Wawrinka is swimming in calmer waters. Deuce. Advantage. Deuce. An opportunity missed for Djokovic as the Swiss holds.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"In Andy Murray's previous outings to the final, he has been the one with only one day's grace, but mentally it will be good knowing Djokovic and Wawrinka will be battling it out, while he can rest.

"But it should be fair. Everyone should get the same amount of time to rest. There's too much at stake for someone to play a four or five-hour match in the semi-final before a final, while their opponent may have won in straight sets and had an extra day off."

Get involved

David McQueen: Novak looking average. If he plays like this Murray will beat him - for the third slam final in a row.

Jamie Holmes: Djokovic v Wawrinka to go the distance anyone?

Game and first set

Wawrinka's feet not moving in unison and he slaps a simple-looking forehand from the baseline into the tape, presenting Djokovic with three set points. The world number one needs just the one, Wawrinka's radar malfunctioning again. A disappointing tie-break after a set which promised there was more excitement to come.

AFP

Wawrinka made to look like a harpooned whale at the net as Djokovic wrong-foots the Swiss with an improved lob. The defending champion gives his opponent a thumbs up. Sporting.

Djokovic soon finds himself 3-0 up as Wawrinka mistimes an ugly-looking backhand, scooping it wide. The Serb commanding and an overhit backhand down the line from Wawrinka gifts Djokovic a 5-0 lead.

Wawrinka managing to serve with aplomb despite the chokingly-tense atmosphere. He gathers four points easily, and quickly, and it's time to settle this on a tie-break.

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Iain Smith: I would prefer Andy Murray faced Stan in the final, as long as this goes to 12-10 in the fifth. Stan isn't as athletic as Nole. AM would prefer him.

EPA

Razor sharp from the Serb who does the basics well, keeping the points short and sweet and closes with a Becker-eque serve and volley.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Those two aces will feel good for Wawrinka. He has not had many good first serves in this set so hopefully he will gain some confidence in his serve."

BBC Sport

Age is just a number, so they say. Should Stan Wawrinka - at the grand old age of 29 years and 310 days - reach the final he will become the oldest man to do so since Andre Agassi in 2003, when the American was 32 and 272 days. Creaking bones and a muddled mind won't be a problem for Wawrinka for quite some time.

But the Wawrinka backhand is faltering as two errors on that side present Djokovic with two set points. Canny from the Swiss, launching an unreturnable sliced serve out wide. One more break point to save - and he does it, Djokovic screwing a forehand into the tramlines. Deuce. Ace. Another ace! And that's two set points saved and a hold.

EPA

Djokovic has regained his composure and replaced his racquet after a minor meltdown after Wawrinka had broken him. The Serb's serve smooth, and he's performing like a well-oiled machine once again. Wawrinka - watched by his fans - not as fleet on foot as he would perhaps like on the baseline, ballooning a forehand to allow Djokovic to hold to 15 without much fuss.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Neither player has settled and both made errors, so it was no surprise to see Stan give the serve straight back to Djokovic."

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"Djokovic took the frustration of dropping serve out on his racquet with a sneaky racquet smash, while sitting down. Two swipes, clinical."

Djokovic breaks back

Wawrinka allows two easy points to slip through his fingers. Djokovic gathers momentum and a 0-30 lead. A dip in form from both players. The pair trade blows from the baseline, the spectators are unable to contain their excitement, one nervy groundstroke after another until Wawrinka nets on his forehand. Three break points to the Serb and the Swiss crumbles, going long on his forehand when he had time on his side.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"Although he has been playing well, Djokovic seems a bit more on edge than normal. He is normally much more focused and relaxed, but he seems a bit uptight. He is making more unforced errors than he would do normally, and I wonder if that's because he is fearful of Wawrinka's power."

To listen to the commentary, click on the play tab at the top of this page.

Wawrinka breaks

At 15-30, Wawrinka has an opportunity to turn the screw and heap some pressure on Djokovic. The Serb usually come through in adversity, but will he here? From tramline to tramline they go, Wawrinka's backhand is made of steel... Djokovic falters, presenting Wawrinka with two break points. Whoa! And just like an unexpected twist in a page-turning thriller, out of nowhere Wawrinka takes his opportunity and breaks.

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Former British female number one Anne Keothavong on Twitter: Congratulations to British player Katie Swan for making it through to the Australian Open junior girls final. Go for it.

Cripes, the asterisk key on my keyboard has never been tapped with such frequency. Stan Wawrinka with an expletive-laden rant during the changeover, swearing at the umpire. "What's going on?" asks the Swiss (some words taken out for obvious reasons). Not entirely sure what the problem is, but perhaps that will become clearer as the match unfolds.

Wawrinka using the red mist to good effect and we have first sight of that dreamy single-handed backhand of his as the defending champion ends a 15-shot rally to level at 30-30. The baseline battles are getting longer... bish, bash, bosh... Djokovic nets, Wawrinka creeps ahead. The Serb drags the game to deuce, but Wawrinka eventually pulls through. Onwards we go.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"I saw Kim Sears in the hotel this morning and she was not in the best of moods. These things blow over in a few days, but it has given everyone a good talking point.

"I'm sure people will empathise with how stressful it is to be a wife or girlfriend of an athlete. It's not easy, and she just got carried away in the moment."

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Tim Collingwood: I'd actually prefer Djokovic for Murray out of the two. Djokovic can be controlled, to an extent, where as Wawrinka is all untamed.

The rallies are short, the serves are sweet. Neither player exerting too much energy to win their points. At 40-0 the crowd cheer as Djokovic nets, presenting Wawrinka with his first point of the game, but there's no sign, not the slightest whiff, of the Swiss upsetting Djokovic's rhythm, even with the crowd on his side. Djokovic opting to serve and volley on the next point and the outcome is clinical.

Wawrinka with a second serve... Djokovic, eyes widening, steps in for the kill but he puts a touch too much power on the return, which allows Wawrinka to nip ahead to 30-15. The Swiss serving crisply and there's even a trip to the net for a backhand volley which forces Djokovic to go long. The defending champion varying play intelligently.

Leon Smith

GB Davis Cup captain

"I spoke to Andy Murray today and he said he would not watch too much of the second semi-final. You can get too involved in it, but I think he will probably see a few snippets and Amelie Mauresmo will pick out a few things and study it in detail."

AFP

What a record Novak Djokovic has in the latter stages of the Grand Slams. Should he beat Wawrinka, he would contest his 15th Grand Slam final and move into equal eighth on the all-time list of most appearances in a major final. With such a record, it's little surprise the world number one has made a nerveless start. A mammoth serve to the wings concludes a confident hold to love. Wawrinka close to nicking a point just the once, but he biffed a crosscourt forehand a fraction wide when Djokovic was there for the beating.

Solid from Wawrinka. The first serves on target, the Djokovic return not in full swing yet. Three quick points and he's 40-0 up. On the final point we have a rally of shots, but it's over in a flash as Djokovic goes long, gifting the defending champion a hold to love.

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Steve Pearce: Normally it's against Murray, but why are the semis on different days? Murray gets an extra day's rest, hardly fair.

Strap yourselves in, we have lift-off. Whistles as Djokovic jumps from his seat and strides towards the baseline to launch booming serves towards his opponent. Wawrinka tightens the cord around his shorts before he gets into position, which is a wise move as we don't want a flashing controversy to follow yesterday's swear-gate. Djokovic with a double fault which allows Wawrinka to nibble at his lead, but the Serb's serve is ultimately too hot to handle and he pulls through for a hold to 15.

'Djokovic has too much quality for Stan'

John Lloyd

1977 Australian Open runner-up

"They have had a couple of epics recently but I think Novak will win. I don't think it will be as close as the other two, although I suppose it could hardly be much closer.

"Djokovic may lose a set but he has looked in tremendous shape. I was a bit surprised Stan got to the semi-finals because his form has been up and down. However, he did play very well in the quarter-final against Kei Nishikori.

"But Djokovic will get too many balls back, put him in too many uncomfortable positions and Stan will make too many errors."

The players are going through the final stages of their warm-up, just a minute or so until the match gets under way.

The task before defending champion Stan Wawrinka today is a taxing one, though, because he has only beaten the world number one in three of their previous 19 encounters and he's playing the Serb on his favourite surface.

But Wawrinka has been in good form during this tournament, dropping just one set on his way to the last four. The only problem is, Djokovic has yet to drop a set in Melbourne.

Five-set thrillers

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If Novak Djokovic were to scroll down a list of his previous 19 encounters with Stanislas Wawrinka, he might come to a stop towards the bottom and wince.

"Close," the world number one might say, remembering his five-set win over the Swiss at the 2013 Australian Open. "Close again," he might add as he comes across another five-setter which ended in his favour at the 2013 US Open. "I can't take anymore of these marathon battles," would perhaps be his response were he to look back to last year's Australian Open quarter-final which went the distance, with Wawrinka the victor.

Who do you want in the final?

other

Stan Warkina and Novak Djokovic are walking through the bowels of Rod Laver Arena. The Swiss moves his head from side to side, attempting to get rid of the tension in his neck, before he walks out onto the court. What we want to know is who do you want Andy Murray to face in the final? Wawrinka or Djokovic?

You can vote on the right-hand side of the page or via the vote tab on your mobile or tablet. It's just for fun.

Swan reaches final

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

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"Fifteen-year-old Katie Swan from Bristol has reached the final of the girls' singles in Melbourne. Despite dropping the opening set 6-0, she beat the fifth seed Dalma Galfi 7-5 in the decider.

"Swan won 0-6 7-6 7-5 and it was as gutsy a performance as you'll see. After leaning on the railings catching her breath, she was happy to sign a few autographs.

"She looked down and out in the third set as she suffered with cramp, but she saved three-match points. A mighty effort over two hours and 36 minutes. And her prize? A final on Rod Laver Arena, where she will face Slovakia's Tereza Mihalikova on Saturday."

Piers Newbery

Agony for Lapthorne

Before I type some more Djokovic and Wawrinka chat, I should tell you about the Briton who beat the best player in the world but was left disappointed.

AFP

That's what has happened to Andy Lapthorne in the quad wheelchair singles because he beat world number one David Wagner 6-3 7-5, but it was not enough for him to make the final.

The 24-year-old Englishman said on Twitter: "It's not often you beat the world number one 6-3 7-5 and get nothing from it. Missed out on the final by one game on games count back. Gutted is not the word but I blew it yesterday."

Stan Wawrinka

Wawrinka has been relaxed enough in the build-up, posting this on Instagram from the locker room: "It's that time of the year again?!.... #Tennis #Battle #Respect"

Djokovic v Wawrinka

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Anyway, instead of speculating about what was said and what could be said, there's a semi-final ding-dong to focus on with the winner to face Andy Murray in Sunday's final. As the Briton admitted yesterday, whoever has tickets for this clash are very lucky indeed because if history is our barometer then it should be a five-set epic.

Sears isn't the only significant other whose emotions have got the better of her, with Roger Federer's wife, Mirka, apparently calling Stan Wawrinka a cry-baby at the O2 in London last year. Will we have to cover our ears today? Novak Djokovic's wife, Jelena, has not flown to Melbourne as she is looking after their newborn baby Stefan, but I can't vouch for Wawrinka's other half.

Today's papers

The times

And The Times also has picture of the future Mrs Murray with the caption "did I say that?"

Today's papers

Guardian

Hopefully someone is keeping copies of today's newspapers for Kim Sears and, hopefully, Sears has plenty of Pritt Stick because there's lots of material to cut out for the scrapbook. She's even made the front pages of the broadsheets, with the Guardian printing pictures of said outburst.

John Lloyd

1977 Australian Open runner-up

"Murray admitted he and his supporters were pushed to the limit during his semi-final win over Berdych, with Kim Sears apparently caught on camera swearing.

"But Andy loves it when those in his supporters' box are very involved. Cheering, eye contact and so on. He will be very happy to know how much Kim is involved in the match.

"I'm sure he will want to deflect that so it doesn't take away from what is coming up.

"But it won't affect him in the final that is for sure."

Words to regret?

Getty Images

Heated words were said between both players during the semi-final and Murray has put the atmosphere down to the pre-match focus on his former coach, Dani Vallverdu, who is now working with Berdych.

The Scot has also defended his soon-to-be wife, who was caught on camera apparently swearing. "In the heat of the moment, you can say stuff that you regret," said the British number one.

Should Sears be sorry for swearing or was her cursing just a sign of true love?

Hello! So, Kim Sears has a broader vocabulary than many of us would have predicted. What exactly did Andy Murray's fiancee say during her beau's semi-final win over Tomas Berdych? If I were to repeat lip readers' suggestions, this live text commentary would quickly close down and I would be booted out.

Patrick Scala

Tennis, eh. A tense duel, a battle of minds as well as skill. A sport where participants often flap and crack under pressure, resembling characters in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and spectators are left effing and jeffing on the sidelines. Even a fan who always looks so sweet and immaculate can turn the air blue with a colourful potty-mouth outburst. Tennis, eh.

Patrick Scala