Well then.

That's a huge first serve from Kvitova, Osaka somehow gets her racquet onto it - and it drifts just over the line!

That's a proper racquet wobbler. Deuce.

Kvitova goes for a slice and it's mullered by Osaka.

Set point number two for Osaka.

Image source, PA

And what a shot that is!

She goes out wide, Osaka returns, and Kvitova flashes a huge forehand winner in response.

An almighty cry of "pojd!" follows. Deuce.

Kvitova misses her first serve...

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park

You can really feel the tension now. You can start to see it on the player's faces too!

That serve out wide is working for Kvitova, but Osaka's the better mover in the rallies.

Osaka reads the Kvitova second serve, guessing she's going out wide, but she can't believe herself as she works a backhand into the net for 30-30.

Now then! Kvitova goes down the line, misses, and it's set point, Osaka.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

More 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' than Bonfire Night during that wonderful rally. The third net cord of the game sees Kvitova raise her hand up in apology. Sometimes that is a hollow gesture, but you know Kvitova really means it.

Image source, Getty Images

Are we heading for a tie-break?

That's for Petra Kvitova to decide.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Unsurprisingly there is barely a spare seat in Rod Laver's gaff.

Hard to tell who the crowd favourite is... sounds pretty evenly split. Unsurprising really seeing as Osaka and Kvitova are two of the Tour's most likeable players.

Image source, BBC Sport

Big, deep return from Osaka, hugging the baseline, and Kvitova goes long.

The Czech will serve to take us into a tie-break.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park

Easily the best rally of the match!

WHAT a rally!

This is astonishing. Both players go cross-court, somehow chasing each other down. The ball skims the top of the net twice, but both players hold on to stay in the rally.

And it's Kvitova, pushed out wide, who spins a winner across via the top of the net.

40-30.

Image source, PA

Such clean hitting from Osaka, backing up her serves with forehand and backhand winners galore.

She goes out wide, forcing an overstretched Kvitova to go long, but Kvitova darts forward to plonk an Osaka drop shot past her for 40-15.

Kim Clijsters
Four-time Grand Slam champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

It's interesting, the box of Naomi Osaka is completely full. Petra Kvitova only has three people in her box.

Kvitova chunters to herself as Osaka misses a backhand by the tiniest of margins, before she double faults for 15-15.

The Czech finds another gorgeous drop shot - she disguises that shot so well, moving like she's going for a big winner and then changing the pace at the last second - and a down-the-line winner takes her to 40-15.

Another drop shot, and that'll be a hold for Kvitova.

There has been some stonking hitting in this opening set.

Petra Kvitova will serve to try and keep it going a little longer.

Osaka's first serve clicks into great for a big, swinging ace down the T.

Kvitova does so well to return a serve right onto the baseline but Osaka's reflexes are so quick. With a flick of the wrist, she sends the ball back, and Kvitova nets.

A love hold to Osaka.

Image source, Reuters

Osaka laughs at herself as she leans backwards and half-shanks a return of serve out.

Whenever there's a rally it goes Osaka's way, Kvitova slicing a backhand into the net for 40-15, but the Czech is so strong on serve.

She serve and volleys her way to a hold.

Petra Kvitova is 0/5 on break points.

Image source, Getty Images

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park

The one thing this final is missing is that we don't have a villain. It usually adds some spice.