Image source, Getty Images

Murray's serve is asking plenty of questions now. An ace out wide gives him a 40-15 advantage and he seals the hold at the next attempt. But not after he is let off the hook by Djokovic.

The pair have a game of cat and mouse as they try to out drop-shot each other at the net, before Djokovic goes more expansive to force Murray into a high return.

But the Serb meets it with a weak smash, allowing Murray to produce a sublime passing winner.

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Now what Andy Murray really needs is a break. Half a chance at 15-15 disappears within a blink of an eye. Djokovic hammers down an ace for 30-15, then thunders down a couple more serves that Murray can't guide to safety.

Djoko wanted a quick hold to heap the pressure back on to Muzza and that's what he has got...

Tom Gumbleton: Absolutely massive hold there from Muzza!! Let's hope that kick starts his match properly.  

SJ McNab: If there's to be a turning point, that Murray service game will have been it. Keep calm, carry on. 

Jennifer Yaxley: Need to get the lamb in the oven for Sunday roast but can't tear myself away from the tennis!   

Save us some, Jennifer.

This is not going well for Murray. The Briton is warned by chair umpire Carlos Ramos for taking too much time, then moans about some shuffling in the crowd behind him.

He channels his anger positively - smashing down his fourth ace of the match to see off a fourth break point.

Another strong serve forces Djokovic into a backhand error - and sets up game point after a 11-minute marathon.

Murray pulls another ace out of the pack to cling on to a gutsy hold. And breathe...

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But Djokovic is not in the mood to let this game go so easily. The world number one forces deuce with a truly brilliant forehand that dusts both the baseline and the tramline. Nobody in the world would have caught that.

More brilliant play tees up another break point for the Serb. Murray mutters. He knows he must produce here. He does!

Murray is grinning as concedes two more break points. But he doesn't find this funny. He composes himself to get Djoko scrambling at the baseline on the third break point, finishing him off with a controlled overhead. Back to deuce... 

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Murray's serving stats don't make good reading. He's nailed 68% of first serves, but only won points on 47% of them. A double fault is not the start that the tennis doctor ordered, although that is quickly wiped out by an ace.

Murray wins a long rally for 30-15, before Djoko pounces on his second serve for 30-30.

Murray's anger is taken out on his next serve, a blistering ace out wide putting him on the verge of the game at 40-30...

Image source, AFP

This is why Djokovic is the world number one. Just as Andy Murray appears to be getting steadier, the Serb pulls the rug under his feet.

Djokovic coasts towards a hold to love, only for Murray to make him wait. But only for a moment. A majestic Djokovic forehand into the left corner cannot be retrieved by Murray and the game disappears in a flash. 

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"Murray resets very quickly. That’s what we tennis players have to do.

"You have to move on to the the next point, game, set, match."

Image source, AFP

Much better from Muzza. The second seed keeps working that Djokovic backhand in a long exchange, screaming his first 'Come onnnn!' of the night as the Serb goes wide for 30-0.

Comfortable for Murray until the Serb roars back level at 30-30 after the Briton can't shift his feet quick enough at the net to divert a body shot back to safety.

But for the first time today we see Djoko misfire slightly, pushing a final backhand long at 40-30 for Murray to take an early second-set lead.

Image source, AP

Murray chunters something to himself at the changeover. Remember Andy - positive thinking. That's all he can do, forget that dreadful opener and move on....

Kate Lynham: I think this is all an elaborate game plan from Murray. Lure Djokovic into relaxing then BOOM...Take the next 3 sets, easy!  

Richard Williams: This will be over before the milk is poured on my cereal.

Scott Lazell: It is ok, I've got total faith, and money on, Murray to win in five sets. 

Image source, EPA

Murray is finally trading blows with his opponent - but it is too late to save the opener.

The Briton survives a second set point as Djokovic wilts after another long rally, only for the Serb to up the ante.

A big first serve leaves Murray floundering and the top seed is two sets away from winning his sixth Aussie Open title.

Hope for Murray at 30-30...but that's soon extinguished. A delightful backhand drop-shot has Murray scampering to the net, the Briton retrieves, only to leave Djokovic with the simplest of conversions.

Murray crashes a cross-court backhand out of Djokovic's reach to stave off a set point. Djoko grins a rueful grin. Deuce...

So here we are...Djokovic serving for the first set. They've only been out there for 23 minutes...

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Josh: Is Djokovic playing anyone? Murray is nowhere to be seen.

Rob Mungavin: Surely Andy can give Djoko a better game than this? Number two in the world..and has played him plenty.

Jane Tucker: Must be really hard for Judy and Kim watching at home...

Finally Murray's side of the scoreboard ticks into action. And the Melbourne crowd are loving it - they're here to watch a contest.

After clattering a backhand into the tape, Murray's first serve is too hot for Djokovic to handle. The Serb getting strings on the ball, only for it to fly off in the direction of the front row for 15-15.

Murray overcooks a forehand then slams down his first ace - the fastest serve off the match - to take control. And the Briton finally finds his killer touch to wrap his first hold.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"You need an aggressive calmness. You're aggressive but controlled - almost a dream-like state when things are just flowing.

"As we know it didn't last against Federer for Djokovic, but Murray can't wait that long."

Image source, Reuters

Murray has the demeanour of a man who already knows this opening set is a goner. 

The Briton walks to the other side of the court almost as soon as a Djokovic ace out wide spins past his right eye for 40-0.

Better from Murray as he forces Djokovic into a rare error, but normal service is resumed as the world number one batters a backhand past the Briton.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, EPA

"Djokovic is just so aggressive from the back of the court. He's in the zone like he was against Federer. He hits the ball hard but with such control. 

"Murray is taking this in his stride, though. He knows he's in trouble but he's calmly getting his towel and getting on with it."

Image source, Getty Images

We talked earlier about the need for Murray to be aggressive against Djokovic, but he is already being sucked into these energy-sapping rallies. 

Murray cries out as he stretches out for a cross-court forehand from Djokovic, unable to steer his return inside the tramlines for 15-15.

A couple more of unforced forehand errors, one wide and one into the tape, sets up another couple of break points for Djoko.

He needs just one. Murray has loads of time to get the ball to safety, but hammers a forehand into the net...