Tsitsipas waits for the ball to drop but misjudges a backhand and that gives Nadal an early edge.

NADAL LOSES A POINT ON SERVE!

The first one of this set, with a little jab long. It brings up 40-15, and he quickly holds.

To a tie-break we go...

Tsitsipas cups a forehand long off a Nadal effort that's spinning like yoyo and the Spaniard leaps into another to sweep a passing winner beyond the fifth seed. 40-0.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

We've talked about Nadal's bad back - will he start feeling a bit of fatigue?

There's definitely a sense of battle joined.

Really good from Tsitsipas, building on that important point-saver and rattling to another hold.

Does Rafa sense the opportunity to pounce?

He edges to 0-15 and somehow digs out a sublime forehand on the defensive, but Stefanos Tsitsipas stays in the exchange scampers to the net and angles a sliced volley past Nadal to win a wonderful point. Brilliant rally, that.

Rafael Nadal wins his 24th successive point on serve to hold once more.

Unbelievable.

Image source, Reuters

Right on the money from Nadal with a forehand that looks like it is swerving out but suddenly swings back round to clip the line - the Roberto Carlos of forehand winners.

He picks out almost exactly the same spot and a full-stretch Tsitsipas can only get frame to it. 30-0.

A couple of aces, one that clinks into a metal bucket in the background for effect, and Tsitsipas holds.

Mind you, Stefanos Tsitsipas has only dropped two of his own in the third.

He flings down a sweeping forehand winner for 30-0.

David Law
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra tennis commentator

It's almost like Tsitsipas has to feel the opponents' weapons and adjust to it on court. He's hit to the forehand a lot and Nadal has been 'on it' from the start today and he's made him pay, and either kept him camped in the corner or been going down the line.

At no point has Tsitsipas been able to get into the match but he might have a game of inspiration or Nadal might come slightly off his level - which has been superb today.

Image source, Reuters

Nadal at his hustling, bustling best to steam around court and slap down a volleyed winner from shoulder height. He accelerates to 40-0 and holds as Stefanos Tsitsipas' return drifts wide.

Nadal hasn't dropped a point on serve yet this set...

Smart play from Tsitsipas, forcing Nadal wide and scampering to the net to hold.

Wonderful backhand down-the-line winner from Rafael Nadal that leaves Stefanos Tsitsipas rooted to the spot, but the Greek picks off his veteran opponent on the next. 40-15.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

A succession of fairly comfortable service games in this set. Tsitsipas needed to do that and is still in this match.

Rattling through these... one minute and 10 seconds for Rafael Nadal to hold.

Saving themselves for the business end of this set?

It's the only blemish... and the only point won against serve in the opening five games of this set.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is two sets down but creeps into a 3-2 lead in the third.

Anyone want to take a point against the serve this set?

Rafael Nadal obliges as Stefanos Tsitsipas guides a backhand wide for 40-15.

Rafael Nadal watches a high ball drop out of the Melbourne sky and then slaps it through the field like he's opening the batting over at the MCG. Another love hold.

A Nadal slice drifts long as Tsitsipas peppers the Spaniard with a series of deep forehands.

Punchy stuff from the fifth seed to edge his way to 40-0 and then hold.