Game on again. Alexander Zverez has stopped the claret from his nose and he doesn't seem one bit concerned by the issue as he takes an Andy Murray lob and buries it with a smash to take the game to 15.

Venus Williams knows she has to put pressure on Konta's serve. The American leads at 30-15 but Konta comes back to level and gets set point with a cross-court winner that speeds past Williams' racquet.

Konta goes long and we're back to deuce and then Williams powers a forehand cross the bright blue court to have break point herself.

Williams does it with another powerful forehand close to the net and she has a break back.

Andy Murray will hit balls to stay loose as Alexander Zverev sits with a towel over his face, nose bleeding. On comes the medic to try to help the young German.

So we just had four Australian men singing a song to Andy Murray to the tune of 'Mambo No. 5' by Lou Bega. It's a hit from 1999.

These men, each sporting a different letter from Murray's name on their t-shirt to spell out 'ANDY', replace the lyrics with some which highlight the Britons career.

I managed to pick up on "a little bit of Wimbledon in the sun".

And now some more soap opera... Alexander Zverev has a nose bleed while 30-15 up.

Image source, AFP

Konta has a break point but Venus saves it to get back to deuce. Another backhand from Konta creates a second chance to break for 5-2. Can the Brit do it? Venus serves into the net and then whacks a forehand into the net. Konta closing in on that first set.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Murray tosses the ball high and slams it down the T to force an error - 15 all. Another cracking serve forces his man wide, leaves a simple mop up across court for Muzza. That's 30-15, some patience on show now as they trade - a few sound effects coming from Murray - Zverev finds the net.

Again they trade - all the shots across court - Zverev goes long.

And we now have some fans singing a special song for Murray. I'll bring you more on that shortly.

Image source, #bbctennis

So here we go then. After a year in which Andy Murray was named Sports Personality of the Year, largely for his Davis Cup brilliance, it's on to 2016.

He'll serve...

Muzza should breeze past this German kid, shouldn't he?! Probably, but Alexander Zverev is classed as one of the rising stars of the men's game.

And Murray feels the teenager will cause him "a few issues".

Murray, who beat him 6-3 6-4 in the Hopman Cup last week, says the 6ft 6in-tall youngster is an ever-improving player.

"He's still filling out his physique but he's got a very good game and he serves well," said Murray.

"For a big guy, he moves pretty well too. He's obviously improving all the time, so it will be a tough match."

Johanna Konta blows on the fingers as Venus Williams thumps down a serve... a volley at the net follows and while Konta stretches, she can't guide this one into play. That's the game to love for Williams. Still, Konta a break up.

"I'll serve", says Andy Murray as he wins the toss. No more, no less coming from the Scot as he glares across the net at this youngster.

Murray in white T-shirt, black shorts, white cap. Alexander Zverev in a red T-shirt, white shorts, red headband. He's a lean build Zverev. That said, at 18, he's not long come off baby food. Baby faced, I don't think he's started shaving yet.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent in Melbourne

"That's a great start for Konta as she attempts to keep British interest in the women's singles alive following the exit of Heather Watson yesterday."

You may be in luck Craig as Johanna Konta has just broken the Venus Williams serve. She jogs back onto court, towel in hand. Didn't see that start coming.

Tweet us on #bbctennis.

David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"Andy Murray will be a heavy favourite but it'll be a very interesting match. Zverev is a boy, a novice, but he's a former world junior number one and is being talked about as someone who could be a future senior world number one. 

"They played a couple of weeks ago at the Hopman Cup, which Murray won, but Zverev's trainer is Jez Green, who made Murray into one of the best physical specimens in the game, and he's working on transforming Zverev's body."

You can listen on BBC Radio 5 live by clicking here.

What more can you ask for? Join the BBC Radio 5 live team if you want to listen to the latest from Melbourne. We will bring you the best of any comments in these pages of course.

Andy Murray strolls out on court. The usual massive bag of rackets. 

It's a little rushed from Johanna Konta as she fizzes a backhand too long, that's 30-30. Some patience in the point was needed there. Understandable, this is an occasion where some anxiety can be forgiven.

Venus Williams goes across court with a backhand of her own as she scampers and it's long. Can Konta hold? You bet. Ace.

Venus Williams goes long with a forehand to give Johanna Konta her first points in an Australian Open but the American wastes little time in claiming the opener.

A string forehand is too good to make it 40-15 and then as she rushes to the net and shapes her body to volley to Konta's right, a last-minute adjustment sees Williams just drop a volley the other way. Game.

And then of course there's the main man.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Murray - and his good abdominal muscles - face will graft to beat the sprightly 18-year-old legs of Alexander Zverev.

Zverev has played in two Grand Slams to date, reaching the second round at Wimbledon last year. The pair are due out in the Margaret Court Arena any second now.

Image source, Getty Images

The last time Aljaz Bedene played at the Australian Open he wasn't even British.

The Slovenian switched to represent Britain last year after three first-round exits in as many years in Melbourne.

Now ranked 49 in the world, Bedene will meet American Steve Johnson - seeded 31 - after the completion of Dan Evans' match on 13.