Image source, Getty Images

The Serena serve is arguably the greatest that the women's game has ever seen - and it seems to be firing on all cylinders. However, Sharapova is coping reasonably well smashing back the returns. Serena's power eventually tells as the pair contest rally after rally, and the American sees out the hold.

Emma Ashley:, external Fire lit, tea in hand, Australian Open on the BBC, Saturday mornings can't get much better than this. #Armchairtennis

Mori Baba Jnr:, external History aside and no offence to Maria but if Serena plays well and serves the way we know, then this final will not even be a contest.

Vimal Ramjewan:, external Sharapova needs to have a very good first serve and needs to come up to the net more often.

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

"I was worried that Maria Sharapova would have a bad start, and that's exactly what has happened. She is already playing catch-up."

Watch live coverage by pressing the play button at the top of this page.

Nervous start from Sharapova on her serve, as Williams goes 30-0 ahead. That's the whiff of an early break opportunity drifting under Williams' nostrils. However, two wayward returns help Sharapova rattle off three points and move within one of a hold.

Williams isn't finished though, digging out a deadly dipping forehand winner from the baseline. The pair trade advantages then a bad miss from Sharapova, when a seemingly-comfortable forehand drifts wide of the tramline, puts Serena on the verge of the break.

And Williams gets it! The Russian meekly finds the net and it is an early advantage for Williams...

Sharapova won the toss meaning she has the pleasure of serving first...

The umpire calls time, the players take their seats for the final time. Serena - who has been battling a cold - digs around in her bag for a tissue and gives her nose a hard blow. Ready to roll...

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two

Image source, AP

"It will be crushing for Maria Sharapova knowing that someone has beaten her 15 times in a row. The only thing you worry about is that she will be trying too hard and the biggest thing for her is her serve.

"She has to be at her best if she is going to win. I'm not sure if Maria has a plan B if things go wrong, but I do have a feeling she will be able to turn it around today."

Image source, EPA

Victory will see Serena move into outright second in the list of Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. It would be the 33-year-old's 19th success, separating herself from Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who brought out the Daphne Akhurst trophy earlier.

Of course, Germany's Steffi Graf leads the way with 22 Slams.

Ayo Obit:, external The only way Maria can win is if she plays a completely different game from her normal game, or if Serena's illness comes into play. If Sharapova plays her game and Serena plays her game then we will get the same result we have got for the last 10 years.

Gambeano Snitch:, external People always love an underdog story. That's why they're backing Sharapova, however Serena will prove the doubters wrong.

Little love is lost between Sharapova and Williams, who have not - shall we say - always seen eye to eye, external over the years. No hint of a smile from either player as they contest the coin toss and pose for the cameras. No eye contact either.

Luckily the little mascot stood in between the great rivals has a beautiful, beaming smile which is big enough for all three of them.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on Radio 5 live sports extra

"We're privileged to have the best two players in the final. Both have played very well here in Melbourne - apart from the odd wobble. Not only do we have the top two seeds in the final, we also have the two most high-profile sportswomen on the planet."

As you already know, we are about to watch the tantalising prospect of the world number one (Williams) take on the world number two (Sharapova).

Remarkably, the last time the top two players in the world met in the Australian Open final was all the way back in 2004, when top-ranked Justine Henin beat nearest rival Kim Clijsters.

Maria Sharapova, decked out in a pale red tracksuit top and matching cap, appears first in the bowels of the Rod Laver Arena. She is stony-faced, a picture of concentration.

The Russian is quickly followed out of the tunnel by Serena Williams, who shows a similar lack of emotion. That's what you call a game face.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"It's a chilly 18C and has been blowing a gale all day, although reports are that down on court level in Rod Laver Arena it's not quite so bad. Rumours have been circulating Melbourne Park that Williams's nagging cough and cold is actually worse than she has been letting on, but she was out hitting earlier with no major signs of discomfort.

"The general vibe is that Williams will beat Sharapova - she always beats Sharapova - but it's been the kind of tournament where the unexpected happens."

Image source, EPA

Sharapova might just have seen a glimmer of hope ahead of today's match. And that is because Williams has been struggling with a heavy cold and cough for several days.

If that wasn't enough to boost the Russian, pictures also surfaced on Friday of the American receiving treatment on her left ankle before cutting short a practice session.

But Williams says: "I'm doing much better and feeling better every day - at least I'm able to run now."

Lindsay Davenport, who won the Australian Open in 2000, expects her fellow American Serena Williams to win a 19th Grand Slam title.

"On paper it should be a great match, but historically and for whatever reason, she is not troubled by Maria Sharapova's game," Davenport tells BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

"It will be interesting to see if Sharapova does something different, but Serena has looked so good, very strong and her serve is back to being the weapon we know it can be.

"I will be very surprised if Sharapova can come through this match. If Serena is at 80% or above then I've not seen anyone able to beat her - she is so powerful."

Image source, BBC tennis

The Rod Laver Arena has started to fill up nicely since this picture was taken a short while ago. The Australian national anthem is blasting out as we speak, moments after Martina Navratilova brings out the trophy that either Sharapova or Williams will lift later.

The players are expected to emerge from the locker room shortly, so consider this your 15-minute warning before we kick off. Enough time to grab a quick cup of tea.

Maria Sharapova might not have beaten Serena Williams in 15 attempts, but the Russian does not have to look far for inspiration as she attempts to turn that tide of defeat.

That's because the Australian Open has witnessed the reversal of some long-suffering fortunes - well, in the men's singles anyway.

Tomas Berdych ended a 17-match losing streak against Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, while Andreas Seppi won his first match against Roger Federer at the 11th attempt.