That's an important first hold for Aryna Sabalenka, who gets on the board in game three after Madison Keys nets a return despite getting a look at a second serve at 40-30.

Now the chase is on.

Image source, Getty Images

Madison Keys maintains her early pressure on Aryna Sabalenka by taking the first point on the Belarusian's serve.

And the world number one can only look on into the distance after Keys puts away an excellent forehand for 15-30. The American looks super relaxed in these early stages.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Melbourne

Ah, I spoke too soon. Maybe those nerves weren't settled.

Keys is one of the few players who can crush the ball more than Sabalenka and shows that with a thunderous, break-clinching return which leaves the crowd gasping.

Madison Keys follows up a backhand into the corner by diverting a volley at the net in the opposite direction to win an important point at 30-30, before consolidating her early advantage.

A great start for the 19th seed in her first Australian Open final.

Image source, Getty Images

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Keys can't let Aryna Sabalenka dictate here.

You can tell what power she brings to the court. It doesn't matter what's down the other end of the court, Sabalenka just plays her game. If her game is on, it is good enough to beat anybody and her game just takes the racquet straight out of your hands.

You have to stand up to her and try to not allow her to get the first strike in, dictate the rally and start bossing you around - but it is very difficult.

Madison Keys takes her opportunity!

A powerful forehand proves too hot for Aryna Sabalenka to handle and the world number one suffers a break of serve in the opening game.

That really will do the American's confidence a world of good.

Oh dear!

Another double fault from Aryna Sabalenka - and that will be a break point for Madison Keys in game one.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Melbourne

The murmurings which greet Sabalenka missing her first three serves can't be good for the confidence.

But she is a different beast these days. Walloping away the winner for 15-15 shows her improved mental resolve.

Aryna Sabalenka begins the final with a double fault.

Good to get that out of the way early. She settles into the match with a forehand winner on the next point.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Melbourne

Image source, BBC Sport

A wonderful ovation for Madison Keys when she strides out of the Champions' Corridor first.

But the volume is cranked up when Aryna Sabalenka follows a few moments later.

A few clouds have gathered over Rod Laver Arena and the breeze is quite cool.

The nesh ones among the British media pack are wearing coats and trousers. They're not hardy northerners...

Ready?

Aryna Sabalenka will serve first as she begins her bid to join the list of women to win three successive Australian Open titles.

Away we go!

Both Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys head into the final on an 11-match winning streak.

While Sabalenka will remain as world number one regardless of today's result, Keys would rise to a joint career-high seventh in the rankings if she beats Sabalenka.

Keys was full of praise for Sabalenka, who she has beaten just once in five meetings and not since 2021, in her pre-match news conference.

"What's really impressive is her mentality. Her ability to always go for it, no matter what the score is, is really impressive," said Keys.

"She plays such fearless tennis. I think it's very unique. I'm trying to emulate the way she trusts her game and the way she goes after it."

Image source, Getty Images

A packed Rod Laver Arena welcomes the players out on to the court, Madison Keys followed out by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with both receiving a great reception.

Sabalenka has called this arena her house. Keys is hoping to crash the party. By the reaction, the crowd just want to see a great final, with both players operating at their best level. Fingers crossed.

Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys are waiting in the tunnel, Sabalenka with her headphones on and neither player looking in the direction of the other. Tense moments.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Melbourne

For those not fortunate enough to bag a ticket on Rod Laver Arena tonight, there are plenty of other options to enjoy the women's final with an atmosphere.

If you have a grounds pass you can sit in Garden Square outside Laver and watch the big screen with the added bonus of the crowd noise providing surround sound...

Image source, BBC Sport

In the city, you could kick back on a deckchair in Melbourne's Federation Square...

Image source, BBC Sport

Or, in-between the city and Melbourne Park, there is the AO's version of Henman Hill/Murray Mound.

The Hilltop, which has a beach club vibe with loungers and iced cocktails, is perched above a big screen.

Image source, BBC Sport

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

I'm excited - I'm most interested in seeing how Madison Keys is going to deal with this.

The last time she was in a final, she was horrible. That was quite a while ago though so she has a lot more experience second time around.

I'm just really curious. It is going to be a huge mental battle - as finals always are.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Not long to go until the start of this year's Australian Open women's singles final.

You can now listen along to live radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra by clicking the icon at the top of this page (UK only).

Image source, Getty Images

The odds appear to be stacked against Madison Keys as she hopes to deny Aryna Sabalenka, who has won four of their five previous meetings - including both previous Slam encounters.

Their most recent meeting at a major, in the semi-finals of the US Open in 2023, was a particularly painful one for Keys. The American served for the match with a 6-0 5-3 lead, only for Sabalenka to pull off a remarkable fightback to advance.

"I felt like I tried to play safe. I wasn't playing how I wanted to in the big moments," Keys said of that defeat.

"That felt so bad. I didn't want to be in the same situation where I looked back and thought 'I should have gone for it'.

"I didn't want to have any regrets [after that]."

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport in Melbourne

Now, I'm sorry to keep harping about how good the weather is here in Melbourne. Honestly, I am.

But knowing what the conditions are like is materially significant to a tennis match.

So here goes... it's warm and sunny at just gone 7pm, with temperatures still about 21C.

That means the roof will be open on Rod Laver Arena and the match will be played as Australian Open organisers intend it to be.

After Storm Eowyn battered the UK yesterday, with warnings for strong winds, rain, snow, and ice in places over the weekend, what you really want is to hear from our man on the ground, Jonathan Jurejko, about the conditions in Melbourne...