Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

The VIPs have been here all week. Now we've got the VVIPs.

Rod Laver, of course, takes centre stage in the posh seats. When the place is named after you, the best spot in the house is all yours.

Sitting near to the Rocket is Chris O'Neil - the last Aussie to win the title - while Olympic heroes Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe are also watching what is one of the nation's biggest sporting occasions in years.

Away from sporting icons, Dannii Minogue, Courtney Act and Russell Crowe (born a Kiwi, yes) are also here.

Laura Robson
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

It was so important for Collins to get on the board early.

We've seen Ash run away with it and leave her opponents on the back foot in the second set.

Wonderful serving from Ash Barty.

Consecutive aces move the Australian clear at 40-0, but she hits long with an approach shot on the next point.

Not to worry. Another wide serve leaves Collins unable to reply on the stretch.

Lindsay Davenport
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Collins has had a mountain of problems to overcome to get back here. she embraces the bigger stages, the biggest moments. She doesn't shy away.

She's going to show up and she's going to compete.

She has to stay in the moment though.

Image source, Getty Images

Ash Barty flashes a forehand down the line to take the first point on the Collins serve.

But Collins responds, attacking with a forehand winner of her own before a fine serve turns the game in her favour.

Barty can't get a wide serve back in play and that's a nice first service game for Collins, who looks well up for this challenge.

Ashleigh Barty has ensured she will remain as world number one following her run at the Australian Open.

Danielle Collins, meanwhile, is projected to make her top-20 debut and, having reached the final, will break into the top 10 after Melbourne.

Collins will also replace 2020 champion Sofia Kenin as US number one after the Australian Open.

Laura Robson
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

That's going to be the shot to watch. The second serve from Barty, that Collins has been all over from any other opponent, but she can't get down on it.

Collins gets on the board though, and a fine backhand return into the corner brings the American to 40-30.

Barty avoids any unwanted early pressure by sealing the game to the delight of the crowd.

No sign of early nerves here from Ash Barty.

Some exquisite serving helps the world number one to 40-0.

The final of the women's singles at the Australian Open is go!

Ash Barty to serve.

As you'd expect, the atmosphere is absolutely electric on the Rod Laver Arena.

Ash Barty is soaking it up as the players run through their warm-ups.

We'll be under way shortly.

Got your morning coffee? Completed Wordle for the day? Ready for the tennis?

Then why not share your thoughts on this one with us on #bbctennis

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Not quite at the stage of shoes being left on the side of the dancefloor and Champagne Supernova being belted out in a group circle... but the Barty party is warming up nicely.

If Danielle Collins poops it - which many think she could - then at least the Melbourne Park fans will have a home champion to cheer in the men's doubles...

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Ash Barty leads the head-to-head between the players 3-1, but Danielle Collins did win their last meeting in Adelaide in 2021.

It's a third Grand Slam final for two-time major winner Barty, while Collins is competing in her first

Image source, .

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Here come the players now!

What a reception for the players.

A reminder that you can follow live radio coverage of this match on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

Just click the icon at the top of this page.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Pretty much everyone is set. Now we’re just waiting for Ashleigh Barty and Danielle Collins to show up…

After previously been capped at 50% capacity, the 15,000-seater Rod Laver Arena is up to 80% tonight. That's about 12,000 people here, according to my GCSE arithmetic.

The Laver roof has slowly slid open, revealing a dull Melburnian sky.

Image source, BBC Sport

Despite a little wobble in the third and fourth rounds, where she had to come from a set behind, Collins has been clinical.

None more so than in her thorough dismantling of seventh seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-final.

She had the former Roland Garros champion on the back foot from the start of the match, despite getting a little tight to serve out for the first set, and dominated the Pole in the second set.

Image source, Getty Images

David Regan: If/When Ashleigh Barty wins the Australian Open, no doubt she will cry tears of joy. Are we then likely to hear the announcement of a song for the winner ....... Ashleigh Barty And I'll Cry If I Want To !

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Earlier this week, Australian Open organisers reversed a ban on T-shirts supporting Chinese player Peng Shuai after a global outcry.

Last Friday, security staff had asked spectators to remove T-shirts and a banner saying "Where is Peng Shuai?" before entering the grounds.

Ms Peng vanished for weeks after accusing a top Chinese official of sexual misconduct in November. The former Grand Slam doubles champion has since re-appeared, but many remain concerned about her wellbeing.

Today, before the women's final, volunteers are handing out 1,000 of the free T-shirts to fans arriving at one of main entrances to Melbourne Park.

"We're trying to raise awareness for Peng Shuai, sexual assault victims and the censorship that Tennis Australia tried to enforce upon us," said Matthew Bannon, one of the volunteers.

Here are some of the best shots from Ash Barty's semi-final win over Madison Keys.