Image source, Hamish

Hamish:, external We are ready. Got my kilt on.

Intense roars from the jam-packed crowd as the players skip to their positions. Hairs standing on back of necks, goose bumps appearing on shaky arms, flashbulbs popping...

Djokovic to serve first and the Serb dashes towards the net, but is forced back by a canny Murray lob and the Serb, running backwards, fails to put away a smash and eventually he nets. First blow Murray. A whopper of a serve comes to the top seed's rescue. 15-15. Lethal from Djokovic, driving a down-the-line backhand winner for a 30-15 lead. A serve-and-volley takes the world number one to within a point of holding and another solid volley sees Djokovic home. A confident start for the Serb.

Image source, Getty Images

There might be a few tears if Murray loses in Melbourne again. And there might be a few expletives from his fiancee Kim Sears.

Kim was caught launching a few naughty words during her man's semi-final against Tomas Berdych. So today she is wearing a 'Parental Advisory, Explicit Content' jumper. Amazing bantz...

Chris Burgoyne:, external I'm missing my normal burst of playing sport on a Sunday morning to watch this. Bring it on.

Jon Salinger:, external Nothing like lying in bed watching the men's Australian Open final. Come on Andy, let's get off to a winning start.

Bryn Rogers:, external I'm really looking forward to a few solid hours of emotional torture #comeonandy.

Just seven days separate these 27-year-old finalists, with Djokovic the younger by a week, but when it comes head-to-head meetings there's a gulf between the world number one and the sixth seed, with Djokovic holding a commanding 15-8 record against the Briton, winning seven of their last eight matches.

BBC Radio 5 live

Three-time Australian Open men's champion Mats Wilander has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live. He says: "If you want to fight on the court that means you are having fun. Andy Murray is smiling more, joking more.

"He is a funny guy off the court but seeing him on court, for me, has been one of the most refreshing parts of the tournament."

Image source, EPA

Both men look cool as a cucumber which has been in the fridge for a couple of days. They are laughing and smiling as they meet at the net to contest the coin toss. Max, the beaming mascot, outgrins them both as they pose for the packs of photographers dotted around the court. Time for a quick knock-up, then it is show-time...

Image source, Getty Images

As you probably know, there hasn't been a Djokovic-shaped hex hanging over Murray in every Grand Slam final. It was the Serb the Scot beat, after a pep talk in the toilet, to win the US Open in 2012, his first Grand Slam. And it was on the pristine grass of SW19 that Murray defeated Djokovic to finally win Wimbledon. See, Djokovic hasn't had it all his own way.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, Piers Newbery

"And the roof rolls back, we have an outdoor final."

Andy Murray stretches his left calf by leaning against the wall as he awaits Djokovic to appear from the locker room. The Briton has opted for the Johnny Cash look for the final, head-to-toe in menacing black. Minutes later, the top seed appears - hurrah - and the players begin the nervy walk out onto the court.

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC One

"I like Andy Murray saying he isn't the favourite today - it is all psychological stuff. If Andy wins, it wouldn't be a huge upset. Djokovic is a marginal - and I mean marginal - favourite."

The ticket holders were on their feet moments ago because a gentleman was bellowing out the Australian anthem. Blood-pumpingly tuneful. The great Roy Emerson, the only man to have won six Australian Open titles, walks out on court with the sparkling trophy which awaits the winner. Aussie Open organisers know how to build the tension before a morning/afternoon/evening of drama.

Image source, Piers Newbery

There are still a few empty seats on Rod Laver Arena, but there's still some time for the stragglers to filter through.

Murray has said fans would witness a "big upset" if he wins the title today.

"He has a fantastic record here," the British number one has said. "He loves the court and the conditions. It would be a big upset if I manage to win. I'm not saying it's not a possibility, but it's going to be very, very tough."

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, Piers Newbery

"We are about to commence proceedings," says the announcer. The roof is still across but expected to roll back once we get under way. Look out - there is dancing. It's all gone a bit London 2012 on Rod Laver Arena. Six-time champ Roy Emerson brings a bit of class to proceedings as he brings in the trophy. Djokovic could get within one tonight.

2013: Djokovic 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-2 Murray

Image source, Getty Images

Murray's Grand Slam hoodoo finally ended when he beat Djokovic at the 2012 US Open. Four months later, the pair met again in a second straight showpiece.

But the British number one could not match the result in New York, despite nicking the first set on a tie-break.

Djokovic levelled in the second, and the Serb took control as Murray struggled with blisters and ran out of steam.

Djokovic's victory made him the first man in the open era to win three straight Australian Open singles titles - as Murray cast an envious glance at the silverware.

Image source, Getty Images

Martina Navratilova knows a thing or two about winning a Grand Slam. The Czech-American won 18 major singles titles between 1979 and 1990, including three Australian Opens.

"Andy might be a slight favourite for me," Navratilova tells BBC Sport.

"I think Andy has slimmed down a little bit; he seems to be a bit leaner, he's moving really well, still has all the power, improved his second serve.

"He has got to be encouraged by his performances so far in this tournament, and also by the fact that Djokovic wasn't at his best against Wawrinka."

BBC Radio 5 live

So we have a Briton and a Serb doing battle in Australia. Who will the Melbourne crowd be backing? The Aussies aren't known for their fondness of all things Brit, but local journalist Kelly Underwood reckons the neutrals will be throwing their weight behind Murray.

"They love an underdog and I think they would love to see Andy Murray break through," she says.

"Novak Djokovic has been here before and won, and they would probably like to see a new champion. Andy also won plenty of friends when he beat home favourite Nick Kyrgios,"

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up

"Playing Djokovic, Murray has to be aggressive at times and can't be too passive. Because if he lets him dictate, he will be in trouble. He doesn't want to go overboard and be aggressive too soon, he will have to pick the right times to attack.

"His second serve is sometimes a bit vulnerable - semi-final opponent Berdych didn't hurt him enough and should have gone at it more.

"If he is not bold and hits them 80mph in the middle of the box, then he might not get away with it.

"I'd put Djokovic as the slight favourite."

Will Andy Murray be affected by fiancee Kim Sears' outburst? How has coach Amelie Mauresmo influenced him? And is he back to his 2012-13 form? Read more from ex-GB Davis Cup captain John Lloyd.

Frances Ferguson:, external ‏I put this on the lounge door on Friday. Hopefully no interruptions & fantabulous tennis.

Image source, Frances Ferguson

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