Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

This is Federation Square - the place where Melburnians meet and greet, celebrate and commiserate.

Tonight it is expected to be packed with "a few thousand", according to one security officer, who will be glued to the 850 LED-panelled, four million individual-pixelled screen.

About an hour ago there were a few early-birds already parked in the deckchairs, enjoying both the men's doubles final and late afternoon sun.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

And if you can't bag a seat in the main square, then there might be space on the steps in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral...

Image source, BBC Sport

Lindsay Davenport
Three-time Grand Slam singles champion

Nadal's big push in the off-season has been his serve, trying to get it on to the opponent much faster than he had been.

That allows him to play offensive in the second or third shot in the rally.

The toughest person to do that against is Djokovic, the best returner, and it will be interesting to see if Rafa tries to do anything differently - tries to put more miles per hour on his serve than their last meeting or if he tries to take the next ball earlier.

The way Rafa has played this tournament has been exceptional - but that's not easy to do against Novak.

Nadal is playing in his first tournament since the US Open after injury problems and has been surprised by his level of performance in Melbourne.

"I am happy that I am competing that well this early. That's the most important thing," he said.

"I felt myself playing well in practice before the tournament. Then you have to compete, see if you can make that happen in the competition.

"I am very happy to have that feeling again. Of course, it is a little bit surprising that it happens that early."

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

If you didn't know Australia has a huge Serbian population then you do now...

An army of Novak fans are gathered in front of the big screen at Melbourne Park's Garden Square. Not spotted one Nadal fan...

Image source, BBC Sport

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

Nadal will be a ball of energy. He's intimidating for most players. It's really on Djokovic and sometimes Federer that I think are able to deal with it - and Djokovic has the muscle memory of knowing he's dealt with him before on the big stages.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, Getty Images

Rod Laver, as always, will have the best seat in what is essentially his home.

Djokovic and Nadal will be taking centre stage in the arena named after the Australian great, who was an 11-time Grand Slam champion.

The 80-year-old, speaking at a Legends Lunch event in Melbourne yesterday, told the media how he thinks the match will pan out.

"It could be a long match, I think Nadal and Novak have proved they are the best two players on the planet," he said.

"I saw Novak's semi-final, he hardly made any unforced errors and played beautifully, then again so did Rafa the night before.

"It will be a close tussle. I’m leaning towards Nadal - but for no reason!

BBC Radio 5 live

Good news. You can listen to live commentary of this final on BBC Radio 5 live. Bliss. Just click the button at the top of this page.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

All about getting that perfect pose for your social media accounts...

Melbourne Park is not short of priceless photo opportunities for fans.

Image source, BBC Sport

Poor Nadal has competed in three Australian Open finals since his last victory in 2009 and has lost all of them.

Djokovic was the man who beat him in 2012 before Nadal lost to Stan Wawrinka in 2014 and Roger Federer in 2017.

Last year he was forced to retire in the quarter-finals against Marin Cilic. Will he have better luck this year?

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

One man among the spectators on Rod Laver Arena today has more of an interest in today's outcome than most. And it means he is rooting for Nadal...

Image source, BBC Sport

That man is Australian great Roy Emerson. And it is his record of six Australian Open titles - which he jointly holds with Djokovic and Roger Federer - which is under threat today from the Serb.

"Well, I don’t want him to do it. I don't have that many records to brag about," joked the 82-year-old.

"My six doesn't look too good, doesn't it? One down with Federer… I’m trying to get Tennis Australia not to invite them back again..."

But if Djokovic doesn't surpass his tally tonight, 12-time Grand Slam champion Emerson is certain it'll happen in the future.

"He’s still young and can still make all sorts of records.

"He’s 31 now and if he keeps himself in shape, like Federer, he’s got another two or three years where he’ll be winning majors."

Not sure about that...

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain

They are such good athletes and defenders of the game that I think we'll see rallies over and over again. Even if it's a three-set match, the rallies are going to be sensational.

Never been to Melbourne? We've transported you there...

Starting at the Australian city's famous Flinders Street train station, through the Federation Square hub, along the Yarra River, before arriving at Melbourne Park...

A message from Rocket...

In case you don't remember what happened in that 2012 final - the last time these two met in Melbourne - Djokovic edged a gripping battle to win 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 in five hours and 53 minutes to win his fifth Grand Slam.

It was a cracker.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Australian great Rod Laver has seen his name pushed down the list of all-time men's Grand Slam triumphs in recent years because of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Federer currently leads the way on 20, but either Nadal (17) or Djokovic (14) will narrow the gap tonight.

And Laver, who won 11 majors, reckons the Serb will have the most Slams on his CV when the trio finally all stop playing.

"I think Federer has maybe got another Wimbledon in him, but he is battling a little bit," Laver, 80, said.

"His age and strokes are not quite the same as they were two years ago. But he is still a force.

"When you look at the others, Novak and Rafa, I would think Novak will certainly pass his 20.

"When you look at his age, and form winning the last two, I would say Djokovic can eclipse Roger."

Records, records, records.

Yet another meeting between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is another chance for both players to set history.

Djokovic is competing for an all-time record seventh Australian Open title. The world number one currently sits alongside six-time champions Roy Emerson and Roger Federer.

Nadal could become the first man in the Open era – and only the third man in history – to win every major on at least two occasions.

The Spaniard would join elite company in Emerson and Rod Laver.

Image source, Getty Images

Osaka was all smiles during the trophy presentation in Melbourne - in contrast to her US Open victory - and she continued a tradition of slightly awkward acceptance speeches.

"Erm, hello. Sorry, public speaking isn't my strong point so I hope I can get through this," she said.

"I read notes before this but I still forgot what I was meant to say. Thank you everyone, I am really honoured to have played in this final."

Read more from Osaka here.

Image source, Getty Images

Today's biggest task is to eclipse yesterday's women's final which ended in thrilling style as 21-year-old Naomi Osaka won back-to-back Grand Slam titles and became world number one following her victory over Petra Kvitova.

Read the full match report here.

If you missed it (what were you doing!?) then here are some of the best highlights.