Summary

  • Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 6-3 to win Australian Open

  • Djokovic wins record seventh Australian men's singles title and third Grand Slam title in a row

  • Top seed Djokovic conceded just one point on his serve in the opening set

Live Reporting

Emma Sanders and Amy Lofthouse

  1. Djokovic breaks

    *Djokovic 2-0 Nadal

    He's definitely nervous. Nadal over-hits a forehand. Djokovic is 2-0 up already.

  2. Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park

    Nadal wears a permanent frown when he's playing tennis. Concentration stretched all over his face.

    Rafael NadalAFP

  3. Djokovic 1-0 Nadal*

    Marion Bartoli
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

    Djokovic, with his backhand, is able to hold the pace with Rafa and then accelerate, which is so difficult to do. Rafa's attitude is slightly more passive, especially compared to his previous match here.

    Novak DjokovicAFP

  4. Two break points

    Djokovic 1-0 Nadal*

    Nadal looks nervous. A wayward forehand spins off to the left and Djokovic punishes him with a brilliant backhand. 30-0.

    The Spaniard responds to win his first point - whipping a forehand into the open space - but slumps another one into the net. Two break points.

  5. Djokovic 1-0 Nadal*

    Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park

    Nadal's serve has been so efficient. The big question is, can it deliver when Novak Djokovic is returning the ball?

  6. Djokovic 1-0 Nadal*

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

    The way Rafa played against Tsitsipas, the way he was moving and playing aggressive tennis impressed me. Maybe I'm a little biased because I have that in my mind, but I think Rafa might win in four sets.

    Rafael NadalAFP

  7. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Things, naturally, are less partisan inside Laver. I'd say the cheers greeting Djokovic are slightly louder than those for Nadal.

    But their arrivals are like Stone Cold Steve Austin entering the ring shortly after Macho Man Randy Savage. Both are absolutely adored.

    Several red, blue and white Serb flags are outnumbering the red and yellow Spanish ones in the top tier of Laver.

    Australian OpenBBC Sport
    Australian OpenBBC Sport

  8. Djokovic holds

    Djokovic 1-0 Nadal*

    An early winner from Djokovic is followed by a sloppy forehand from Nadal. The Serb then dishes up an ace and holds for love as Nadal's backhand slumps into the net.

    A very good start!

  9. Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park

    Djokovic has won 12 of their past 15 meetings. Nadal hasn't beaten him on a hard court since the US Open final in 2013.

  10. *Djokovic 0-0 Nadal

    Novak Djokovic will kick things off.

    *Denotes the server.

  11. Ready to go

    Djokovic v Nadal

    The players have finished warming up. They're ready, we're ready and Rod Laver is ready.

  12. Gigi Salmon
    Radio 5 live tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Great Britain is represented here - James Keothavong is the umpire.

  13. BBC One

    There will also be highlights of today's match later this afternoon. Tune into BBC One from 14:20 GMT to catch up on all the best bits.

  14. Marion Bartoli
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

    It was interesting watching the players' preparations. Rafa came out of the locker room, while Novak was in the gym with his team until the last second.

  15. David Law
    BBC Radio 5 live tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Nadal is not going out to rally with opponents - he's there to destroy them.

  16. Novak Djokovic took some time out from his preparations this morning to congratulate men's doubles champions Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

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  17. 'Tournament deserves great match'

    Djokovic v Nadal

    Andrew Castle
    BBC Sport tennis commentator

    What the tournament really deserves is a great match to finish. If these two don't provide it I'll be very surprised. I'd imagine it'll go to five sets. These two are still great champions and I hope they can stay healthy because they are head and shoulders above everyone else.

  18. 'This is where you want to be'

    Djokovic v Nadal

    Who will win Novak?

    “There's so much at stake, it's hard to pick one thing,” said Djokovic.

    “Obviously making history of the sport that I love is an honour and is a privilege. It's a huge motivation.

    On his rivalry with Nadal: “Those kinds of encounters have also made me the player I am today, without a doubt.

    “These are the kind of matches that you live for, finals of slams, playing the greatest rivals at their best. What more can you ask for? This is where you want to be.

    “We can promise one thing, and that’s knowing both of us that we’re going to give everything out on the court."

    Wimbledon 2018: Djokovic beats Nadal in semi-final in five sets

  19. Gigi Salmon
    Radio 5 live tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Nadal is looking to become the first man in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam twice - and just the third in history.

  20. David Law
    BBC Radio 5 live tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    This is the most prolific men's rivalry we've ever known.