Clever from Murray, coming right up to the net and softly patting the ball out of Djokovic's reach. He makes a mess of his second serve though, slamming it into the net to hand Djokovic a point. He channels his anger and a fiery serve fizzes past Djokovic, and Murray holds.

Andrew Pitt: Come on Andy Murray time to stamp your mark on 2017.

Image source, Getty Images

There's a touch more treatment for Djokovic's thumb, presumably a relic from his slog against Fernando Verdasco yesterday. A member of the crowd is being removed, too, after unleashing a barrage of verbals towards someone.

Murray's moving easier than his opponent but Djokovic's giant serve saves the break point. A nifty drop shot gives Djokovic the advantage, before Murray over hits his return.

Djokovic, looking pretty unhappy, shakes his head and gestures to the umpire. He's got a finger bleed. The physio puts on as much tape as one finger can take, and Djokovic unfurls that big slap shot before Murray drags it to deuce.

Image source, Getty Images

Kris Jefferson: A decisive win for Murray here could be the preview of a year of dominance from the Scot! 

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I'd settle in for a long old afternoon. Murray miscues the ball up high and Djokovic smashes it back past him, leading to a sigh from the Brit. Djokovic gets a little too clever to a high delivery from Murray and smashes it into his own net, so Murray holds.

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Djokovic will serve to get us under way, and notches the first point as Murray slams a return into his net. Djokovic isn't too happy as he sends a drop shot into the net and a Murray forehand brings it to deuce. Neither of them are giving an inch, but Djokovic recovers his nerve to hold.

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Grigor Dimitrov will face Kei Nishikori in the final of the Brisbane International tomorrow as the tennis world steps up its preparation for the Australian Open.

Dimitrov beat top seed and defending champion Milos Raonic 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 earlier today, while Nishikori registered a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win over Stan Wawrinka.

And in the women's event, Karolina Pliskova claimed the title with a 6-0 6-3 victory over France's Alize Cornet.

Image source, Reuters

Right, here we go. The first men's final of the season. Reigning champion against world number one. They're both limbered up and ready to go.

Some stats: this is the 36th meeting between this pair. Djokovic has won 24 of those encounters, compared to Murray's 11, but Murray came out on top in their last encounter.

He beat Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to take the title at the ATP World Tour Finals in November, shortly after he'd become number one in the world. Now, it's one versus two.

Image source, Getty Images

Murray is aiming for his 29th consecutive ATP victory today, and get a handy boost ahead of the Australian Open.

“I want to try and keep it going, I feel a little bit like this year’s a fresh start,” he told Eurosport after yesterday's 6-3 6-4 win over Tomas Berdych.

“The end to last year was a great way to finish the year but it’s great to be through to the final here and a great match against Novak tomorrow to look forward to.

“It’s been the perfect week to get ready for the Australian Open.”

Image source, AFP

These two were all smiles a few days ago. Not so much now.

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Step forward, Sir Andrew Barron Murray. 

The world number one is about to take on the man whose crown he stole in November, Novak Djokovic, in their 19th ATP final meeting. Murray's aiming for his sixth successive title; Djokovic is fighting to retain his Qatar title and get 2017 off to a positive start.

Game faces on.

Image source, Reuters