Petra Kvitova on her 'second career': "It's been a long journey.

"To be honest, I think not very many people believed that I could do that again, to stand on the court and play tennis and kind of play on this level.

"It was just really a few of them, I think. I'm very happy to have those few around me, which is the best.

"And definitely it feels great. Hopefully for them [too], as well as for my family and for everybody who was there when I needed it."

Image source, EPA

• Kvitova was ranked 28 in the world but lost in the Australian Open first round last year
• This year she has dropped just 28 games on the way to the final
• Kvitova has not lost a final since the Luxembourg Open in October 2016 to Monica Niculescu
• Since then, the Czech has won eight finals in a row

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

To say Martina Navratilova knows a thing or two about winning Grand Slams would be an understatement.

So how does the 18-time singles champion see today's final going?

"It is a very close match up. I'm giving Petra a slight edge," the Czech-born American said.

"That's because of her leftiness and because she has been playing more consistent tennis. It will be a worthy winner either way.

"It's amazing they have never played each other before. I don't know the last time that happened in a women's final - it is very rare. I never played anyone in a final I'd never played before.

"They will be feeling each other out at the start."

Image source, BBC Sport

Naomi Osaka on Petra Kvitova: "I think to have the opportunity to play her for the first time in a final of a Grand Slam is something very amazing.

"I've watched her play the Wimbledon finals. I know what a great player she is. It's definitely going to be very tough for me."

A win for Kvitova today would make her the 20th woman in the Open Era to own three Slam titles.

It's more than that, though.

Two years ago, Kvitova was facing the possibility of never playing again after she was stabbed in her playing hand in an attack at her home.

She underwent surgery and made her return to the WTA Tour in May 2017, winning the title in Birmingham a month later.

Last year, she claimed a Tour-leading five WTA titles and finished the season as world number six.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, BBC Sport

Earlier at a swanky Melbourne hotel there was a 'Legends Lunch' in the honour of former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.

And that the meant the great and the good of the tennis world came out to pay tribute to the Australian.

Before they started to take their seats and tuck into some food, stars including Rod Laver, Martina Navratilova and Ivan Lendl swept down the blue carpet - the Australian Open colours, of course - to chat to the media.

Both of these players are already Grand Slam champions.

Petra Kvitova won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, beating Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard respectively.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka overcame her idol Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows in September to claim the US Open title.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, Getty Images

Today is Australia Day, meaning Melbourne's Central Business District was particularly lively earlier.

Swanston Street, one of the main thoroughfares, and which houses Melbourne Town Hall, Flinders Street station and Federation Square, was closed as musicians and dancers paraded to mark 231 years since British ships first arrived on Australian shores.

However, Australia Day is a controversial and much-debated topic here, with many believing it should be abolished.

Shortly after the parade, thousands more people protested at what they call "Invasion Day". They believe it causes unfair hurt to indigenous people.

Image source, Getty Images

Things had become quieter as I arrived at Melbourne Park, which is a short walk from the CBD.

The Australian Open organisers marked the occasion by handing out Aussie classics like Vegemite scrolls, lamingtons, Tim Tams, ANZAC biscuits and fairy bread to the world's media.

Naomi Osaka is searching for her second Grand Slam title in four months.

Petra Kvitova, her first since 2014.

The winner will walk away with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and the world number one ranking.

Ready?

Today, the winner takes all.

Image source, Getty Images