Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

I think these guys have a lot of respect for each other. Everything, to me, points to a Roger Federer win - except in between the ears. Court speed, the balls don't bounce as high, the tactics. Rafa's still under pressure, he's still making mistakes. Neither of them are at their peak. But it's all those little things, things that get into your head, are all ticked off for Rafa. Even how long he took to get out there. Those are the sort of things that get under Roger's skin.

Oh Jamie!

"One minute," umpire James Keothavong informs the Laver crowd. The great man - Rod himself - is settled in. Final warm-ups for both players, one last swig of water, one more mop of the brow.

"Time..."

Image source, Getty Images

Boris Becker has got splinters from sitting on the fence - the German great reckons it is "50-50". It promises to be too close to call. Neither can this fan inside Laver...

Image source, Reuters

Time for a few photos at the net before British umpire James Keothavong talks Rafa and Roger through the protocol. I think they get it. The lucky lad tossing the coin grins away - what a story for his grandkids....

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Hope they handed ear-plugs out on the turnstiles at the Rod Laver Arena. The noise is deafening! Ear drum-hurting roars greet the arrival of a relaxed-looking Roger Federer, followed by similar decibel-meter levels seconds later when Rafa Nadal arrives.

Not an empty seat in the house.

Image source, Reuters

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain

"If Rafa had played a five-hour match a day after Roger when Rafa was at his peak - when he was winning majors all the time - I would not have been worried. We saw many times how he could recover from long matches.

"The difference now is he hasn't been in this position for a while - that does concern me. The semi-final against Dimitrov was exhausting, not just physically but mentally. I think that does give a little advantage to Federer.

"However, Rafa is such a warrior I still think he will be alright - and I pick him to win."

Image source, BBC Sport

Rafa has played over five hours more than his final opponent, with his epic five-hour semi-final against Grigor Dimitrov taking place 24 hours later than Federer's semi-final.

Image source, BBC Sport

Federer has powered through to the final in little under 19 hours - and has the benefit of an extra day off having played Stan Wawrinka on Thursday.

Violinist Nigel Kennedy has been providing the pre-match entertainment for the crowds at Melbourne Park with a classical performance. Hopefully before a classic final? 

Melbourne Park is no Villa Park though, is it Nige?

Image source, Getty Images

Those eight Grand Slam finals have been part of a 34-part series between Federer and Nadal.

Nadal has owned his Swiss rival over their 13-year rivalry, leading 23-11 in the head-to-head.

And, as the neat CNN graphic, external below shows, that is largely down to the King of Clay's supremacy at Roland Garros.

Image source, CNN

Image source, CNN

Image source, CNN

The silverware has arrived. A suited gentleman wanders into the Rod Laver Arena, clutching a gleaming Norman Brookes Challenge Trophy with both hands. The trophy has had a serious coating of polish.

Roger's name has been inscribed four times on there, Rafa's just the once. At least the engraver knows he/she can get cracking early doors with '2017: Mr R...'.

Image source, Getty Images

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

"When Federer flew to Mallorca to help launch Nadal's academy in the autumn, knee and wrist injuries meant an exhibition match was out of the question. Little did they imagine their next on court meeting would be so near, and on such an important stage.

"The history of their matches points to a Nadal victory. But the Spaniard spent nearly two hours longer on court in winning his semi-final, which was played a day later than Federer's. The Swiss is managing an abductor injury, but then again he is loving the quicker courts which should play into his hands.

"What is clear is that there is an enormous amount at stake. If Nadal wins he will close to within two Grand Slam titles of Federer's record of 17 and become the first man in the Open Era to win each of the sport's major prizes at least twice."

Will history have any bearing on today's latest chapter of the Fedal story? Probably not. But it does make great reading for Rafa - he leads 6-2.  

2006 French Open - Nadal won 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 

2006 Wimbledon - Federer won 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 

2007 French Open - Nadal won 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 

2007 Wimbledon - Federer won 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2 

2008 French Open - Nadal won 6-1 6-3 6-0 

2008 Wimbledon - Nadal won 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7 

2009 Australian Open - Nadal won 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 

2011 French Open - Nadal won 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, #bbctennis

And here is how the previous eight have panned out...

David Law
Radio 5 live commentator

Can't take a photo as it is prohibited, but I'm standing outside the locker room, which, throughout the tournament is a hive of activity with players monitoring scores on screens, booking practice courts and passing the time of day. On finals day it is deserted. Just a few ex-champs heading to commentary boxes, officials, and support teams. Nadal and Federer are behind the white locker room door.

With excitement building around Melbourne Park, some fans have taken the chance to relive the last Australian Open final between Federer and Nadal in 2009. The Spaniard took that one over five sets, and four hours and 23 minutes. Settle back...

Image source, BBC Sport

Come round after a strong coffee and a croissant yet? Excellent. Now it is your time to get involved...

For many, Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal is the match-up made in tennis heaven. So we want to know which one dream sporting battle you want to see? Any sport, any place, across era. 

Me? Seve Ballesteros taking on Tiger Woods on the last day of the Open.The artist versus the athlete. Fascinating.

Use #bbctennis or text 81111.

BBC Radio 5 live

There's commentary available of today's final from BBC Radio 5 live, with analysis from Russell Fuller, Gigi Salmon and 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash. They're on air from 08:30 and you can listen using the player at the top of the page.

There will also be highlights of the day's action on BBC Two from 13:00 GMT.