Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Every Australian Open we hear the name of Chris O'Neil, who was the last home player to win the Grand Slam in 1978.

Tonight she is here at Melbourne Park and will bring the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup - the trophy given to the winner - onto Rod Laver Arena before the final.

"I think it is fabulous that we have an Aussie that has a really solid shot of ending this drought," O'Neil told Australia's Channel Nine earlier.

"I've had it for 44 years and I've really enjoyed that - I'm very proud of the achievement.

"I'm fortunate to have had it all this time and I'm ready to pass it to Ash.

"It couldn't go to a nicer person, I'm probably her biggest fan. She's wonderful, a great tennis player and a really lovely individual."

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The Barty party is well and truly on at Melbourne Park!

Ash Barty sets up three set points but she only needs one, wrapping up the set with an ace - not to mention a love hold.

Pressure? What pressure?

Here we go then. Barty gets up and running on serve and then strokes a forehand down the line for 30-0.

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

The Collins double-faults - in her last match they were all at the latter stage, and that's what it looked like.

One thing we can say about Collins is that she won't let it affect her for long

Barty is just two points away at 30-30, but a miss from the Australian is followed up with a timely ace by Collins to finish things off.

Barty to serve for the opening set!

Collins begins with a double fault, but the American recovers with a forehand winner and is primed at the net as Barty fails to dig out a return from the baseline.

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And Barty does move one game away from the opening set.

The world number one continues to serve well, with the only hiccup a double fault when 40-0 up. It proves significantly less costly than Collins' double fault moments ago. 5-2.

Hold here and the first set is within reach for the world number one.

It feels like a bit of tension has been lifted among the crowd, certainly since Collins forced that first break point. Barty is in a great position now.

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

I get the sense Barty knows what tactics she should be using but she is sometimes having trouble putting them in place.

So often when someone saves a break point, they break in the next game.

It's that lift in intensity.

What a way to concede the first break.

A first double fault from Danielle Collins.

Ash Barty takes a 4-2 lead!

Barty creates an opening, shuffling in to the net to execute a forehand and set up a break point.

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Barty clips the line with a forehand and Collins can't sweep a backhand back over the net for 0-15.

The world number one edges ahead again at 15-30 too, pressing Collins at the back of the court.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

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Pat Cash knows all about the pressure of being a home player in an Australian Open final.

Cash was one of the players who came close to replicating Chris O'Neil's achievement, but lost in the Melbourne final in 1987 and 1988.

"Ash had had a great couple of years and she is the red hot favourite for this match. But with that comes extra pressure," he told BBC Sport earlier today.

"The last time Ash had a lot of pressure on here was the 2019 Fed Cup final in Perth and she lost to France's Kristina Mladenovic. Ash played really tight and defensive, and got nervous.

"She's a much better player than that now, of course. She's more experienced but playing at home comes with its own pressures.

"Ash should win but Danielle is a tough prospect."

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

This is what happens when you play against someone like Collins - she's already making Barty feel uncomfortable.

Barty swats away that break point with a firm forehand winner.

A miss from Collins. An ace from Barty!

Big moment. Big hold.

Mark Woodforde
17-time Grand Slam doubles champion on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

In the latter stages of the set, Barty might have more opportunities to break Collins' serve.

12-18 months ago they might have said the same about Barty - she is the one now that survives those big match moments.

Now then. Collins forces deuce... and the American will get the first break-point chance of this final!

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Barty produces the goods once again on serve.

Landing another first serve, the Australian strolls to the net to pop away a volley for 40-15 - but Collins stays in touch as she steps into another powerful backhand.

Collins takes advantage again after putting Barty under pressure with a big serve down the middle.

There's a groan from the crowd as the American clips the cord with a forehand, the ball dropping over to finish the game. That's another good hold for Collins.

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Over to Danielle Collins. She just needs to keep pace with Ash Barty in these opening stages.

A wayward forehand gives Barty an early point but she steadies herself with a sublime backhand winner.