Live Commentary: Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray - as it happened

Morning all. So, after two weeks of monumental effort, it comes down to this. Within the next few hours, one of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be crowned the men's champions at the Australian Open.

As mentioned in the introduction, both players have plenty of experience where the final at Melbourne Park is concerned. Will their contrasting fortunes make much of a difference today, particularly that statistic that shows that Murray has lost twice in the final on the Rod Laver Arena to Djokovic? Perhaps, but it's also worth remembering that in the other two Grand Slam final meetings between the pair at the US Open and Wimbledon, Murray has come out on top.

The pair had tricky semi-final opponents en route to reaching this point, but aside from that, they've had a relatively comfortable ride. Thanks to the Australian Open's official Twitter feed, you can remind yourself how both got here below:

Before we look forward, let's take a look back: remind yourself how #Djokovic & #Murray got to the #ausopen final https://t.co/DEP0CnvkPu — Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2015

Both players have now made their way out on to the court, receiving huge cheers from the capacity crowd. There are some dark clouds over Melbourne, so there is some talk that the roof is going to be closed at some stage.

Right, with the warm-ups just underway, let's take a quick look at what the two players have had to say in the hours leading up to this encounter. First up, Murray: "I've never won against him here before [in Melbourne]," he told BBC Sport.

"I've lost to him each time that we've played. I think I've lost to him the last four or five times we played against each other, as well.

"I've maybe only won one set in those matches. It would be a big turnaround. I'm not saying it's not a possibility, but it's going to be very, very tough."

And here's Djokovic: "I think we know each other pretty well. I'm sure we both know what to expect from each other's game.

"The fact that I won last seven out of eight matches, of course it's going to serve as a great confidence booster coming into the match."

Meanwhile, this is how former British number one John Lloyd, who reached the Australian Open final in 1977, sees this encounter:

"I like Andy Murray saying he isn't the favourite today - it is all psychological stuff. If Andy wins, it wouldn't be a huge upset. Djokovic is a marginal - and I mean marginal - favourite," he told BBC Sport.

GAME ON! Right, Djokovic won the coin toss and will serve first here in Melbourne. Get comfy because this could be a long battle!

The first point from Djokovic goes into the net as Murray closes down the court, but the world number one responds instantly with an ace out wide. A superb backhand winner down the line and then a powerful cross-court forehand bring us 40-15, before a backhand smash secures the game. A comfortable start for Serb. Over to you, Andy.

Murray races into a 30-0 lead, but Djokovic then pounces on his well-documented second serve to level up at 30 apiece. Deuce follows, but credit to Murray, who then serves an ace to bring up an advantage, with Djokovic then firing into the net. High quality stuff from both players, even at this early stage.

Two fantastic forehands from Murray to each far corner of the court sees the Scot move into a 30-0 advantage, before another forehand winner brings up three break points. The first of those loops into the net. The next point is fantastic as Djokovic looks to end a lengthy rally by racing into the net. It seems that Murray's passing shot will be enough, only for Djokovic to somehow land his volley in. All of a sudden, the third break point vanishes with Murray hitting the net cord off the Djokovic serve. After that, it's emphatic from the Serb as he holds. That was a big chance for Murray.

BREAK! A poor drop shot from Murray is seized upon by Djokovic, who goes 0-30 in front with a powerful cross-court forehand stroke. The Serb then plays the shot of the match so far with a forehand that clips the outside of the line, bringing up three break points. He goes wide with the first of those, but unlike Murray in the game before, he claims the second. First blood to Djokovic.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has certainly nailed his colours to the mast:

Come on @DjokerNole !!! — Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) February 1, 2015

Not that Djokovic needs the extra support from Kroos! The first point goes to Murray, which is met by a defiant "come on" from the Scot. After that, though, Djokovic is scarily good. There's two forehand winners and an ace as he closes out the game to go 4-1 in front in 23 minutes. To be fair to Murray, he's done very little wrong. At the moment, Djokovic has just been too good.

There's a little bit of carelessness from Murray as he sends a forehand stroke wide to allow Djokovic to close the gap to 30-15. However, Djokovic then returns the favour by sending a forehand of his own into the tramline. The next point goes the way of Djokovic, but a smart backhand down the line sees Murray claim a much needed hold.

BREAK! There's a big shake of the head from Djokovic as he finds the net to put Murray 15-30 up. A chance for Murray to claim that break of serve back perhaps? You bet! In the next point, Djokovic goes for the serve-volley, but Murray sees him coming and sends a forehand shot just out of reach to bring up two break points. The first goes long and the second wide - deuce. However, he keeps knocking at the door and two net shots from Djokovic bring up the break. Good stuff from Murray.

BREAK! Djokovic lets Murray get away with a poor second serve, which puts the Scot 30-0 in front. However, Murray goes long and then finds the net and all of a sudden it's 30 points each. Then, Murray wrong-foots his opponent, but it clips the top of the net and bounces out, handing a break point to Djokovic. It goes to a second serve, but once again Murray is let off the hook as Djokovic goes too long. Yet, two more unforced errors from Murray gives Djokovic the break back - awful timing as far as Murray is concerned. Djokovic will now serve for the set.

BREAK! A well-timed smash and a fantastic backhand down the line and all of a sudden, Murray has two break points! Neither of these can hold their serve at the moment. A lengthy rally follows, with Djokovic going long after an exchange of backhands and once again we're back on serve. There's more bad news for Djokovic as well because he's called the trainer to attend to a thumb injury, although it looks like he will continue.

In the early exchanges of the game, Djokovic looks as though he's lost his concentration. First he sends a drop shot into the net, before firing well wide with a wild cross-court forehand. It's followed by a Murray ace and another net shot from Djokovic and now we have parity! Murray releases a big "come on". He's certainly in the ascendancy right now.

Djokovic falls 0-15 behind, but his focus seemingly returns to go 40-15 up. Murray then causes him some jitters as he sends a fantastic cross-court winner back beyond the Serb to make it 40-30. Djokovic will not be broken this time, though, as he wins through with a forehand winner. The trainer is back out for Djokovic, but he's now back on the court. Pressure on Murray, who is serving to stay in the set.

TIE-BREAK! Pressure - what pressure? Murray shows great defensive work to claim the opening point of the game, while Djokovic goes long after that. The Scot then shows a delicate touch to bring up 40-0, before the game is closed out with a precise drop shot at the net. This set will be decided on tie-break.

Djokovic 0-1 Murray*

Djokovic 0-2 Murray*

*Djokovic 1-2 Murray

*Djokovic 2-2 Murray

Djokovic 2-3 Murray*

Djokovic 2-4 Murray*

*Djokovic 3-4 Murray

*Djokovic 4-4 Murray

Djokovic 5-4 Murray*

Djokovic 5-5 Murray*

*Djokovic 6-5 Murray

SET! Sitting in his chair, Murray is going to be bitterly disappointed. He was 4-2 in front there and then had Djokovic on the ropes at five points all, but he went long with a volley to hand set point to Djokovic. Murray then found the net, gifting the set to the world number one. There's still plenty of tennis to be played, but it's going to be tough for Murray from here. What a set of tennis that was!

#Murray nets a backhand return and #Djokovic clinches an absorbing first set 7-6(5) #ausopenfinal pic.twitter.com/COZnppKGj5

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2015

That is pretty much the perfect response from Murray, who shows a mixture of good footwork and defensive strokes on his way to winning the second set's opening game. Djokovic even seemed to lose his balance and took a tumble at 40-15, but he's up. Can Murray secure a break at the first time of asking?

BREAK! It was the thumb in the first set, now Djokovic is complaining about his ankle! It certainly seemed to hamper him in that game, with three unforced errors giving Murray the early break that he craved. Djokovic hasn't called for the trainer yet, but he's limping out there. Now is the time for Murray to capitalise.

BREAK! Now, far be it from me to accuse Djokovic of over exaggerating an injury, but there was no sign of a limp in that game as he started to win points! In the game before, he looked to his box to suggest that he was in trouble, yet he's broken back! It was a poor game from Murray as well, who may have lost some concentration.

Murray goes 0-30 up on the Djokovic serve, but then two unforced sees them world number one draw level. That's when Murray vents his frustration as he lets out a scream of disappointment. The next point sees him go long and then Djokovic shows great hands low down to see out the game. Murray was two games to the good, now we are all level. This one is so tough predict!

BREAK! In the blink of an eye, Murray is 0-30 down, thanks in part to a rather wild cross-court shot that flies well wide. Then, his serve is not wide enough and Djokovic punishes it, bringing up three break points. That's followed by a smash with Murray stranded, which secures the break. That's three games in a row (two breaks) for Djokovic and one thing is for sure, Murray cannot afford to fall two sets behind.

For perhaps the first time over the last two weeks, Murray's body language is all wrong. He's bemoaning every mistake that he makes and looks a little drained. Of course, he isn't helped by a love game from Djokovic, who is now well in command. This is a big game coming up. If Murray were to be broken again, it could well be curtains.

Better from Murray, although he was made to work hard. It starts with a double fault, before he takes a 40-15 lead. Djokovic then keeps himself in contention as he attacks the second serve, but the Serb then has no response to a much needed ace out wide from the Murray. That's stopped the rot!

And all of a sudden, security race on to the court to protect the players. There is a banner that has been unveiled by a section of those inside the stadium, which has now been removed. There's a slight delay, but the action should be back underway very soon.

BREAK! Murray takes the first point with a superb reflex volley at the net, but after that, it's a rather scrappy game - not that Murray will care one jot! The last two points are fantastic from Murray's point of view, the second of which displays great power, allowing him to batter his way through the Djokovic defence. That's the fourth break of this game.

What a difference a couple of games make! The momentum is all with Murray as he serves out to love. The final point was a strange one as Djokovic casually lofted a return of serve out. He doesn't look overly happy and will now serve to stay in the set.

We saw earlier that Toni Kroos was supporting Djokovic and so, it seems, is the Serb's son!

Everything looks so much better from this perspective.In Stefan's world daddy is always a winner! #NoleFam #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/abATXEC2Os

— Jelena Djokovic (@JelenaRisticNDF) February 1, 2015

At 30-0 down, Murray looks down and out in this game, but he shows great fight to force deuce, thanks partly to a mistake from Djokovic when he was serving for the game. The backhand volley down the line was on, but he went the other way and an alert Murray pounced. Up comes set point, but the Scot disappointingly can only find the net. It's then Djokovic's turn to serve for the game again, but Murray wins through with a superb backhand from the baseline. Two great rallies follow, both of which are won by Djokovic to hold. What a game of tennis from both players.

Stunning stuff from Djokovic as he fires a rocket down the line to bring up break point, but Murray responds with a bouncing serve that the Serb can only return to the net, sending the game into deuce. Then, there is another break opportunity for Djokovic, only for him to go wide. Next, Murray hits the net. Third time lucky for Djokovic? No! An empathetic ace from Murray shuts the door, which gives him the confidence to win the next two points. What a game to win that was for Murray. Again, Djokovic will serve to stay in the set.

TIE-BREAK! Murray does all the early running in the first two points as a dominant Djokovic drags him one way and then other. The next shot from Murray flies out, giving Djokovic three game points. He only needs one of them, sending us into another breaker.

*Djokovic 0-1 Murray

*Djokovic 0-2 Murray

Djokovic 1-2 Murray*

Djokovic 1-3 Murray*

*Djokovic 1-4 Murray

*Djokovic 2-4 Murray

Djokovic 2-5 Murray*

Djokovic 2-6 Murray*

*Djokovic 3-6 Murray

*Djokovic 4-6 Murray

SET! It's a fantastic breaker for Murray as he runs Djokovic all over the court. At one point he earns himself four set points, the first of which he sends long with half of the court to hit. However, at the third time of asking, a great return from Murray does the job. It's one set all now - we've only just started in Melbourne!

Pegged back: After 2 hours & 32 mins, #Murray clinches the 2nd set 7-6(4) to level the match at one-set all #ausopen pic.twitter.com/uZ5kP0I7Xn

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2015

BREAK! Right now, Djokovic looks there for the taking. The limp is back as Murray breaks early in the third set. There's a couple of unforced errors from the Serb, who loses his balance again as he fires into the net to hand Murray the break. Now is the time for Murray to attack and press home his advantage.

That's how to serve after a break. Great work from Murray, who opens up a 2-0 lead in this second set thanks to an ace. Djokovic looks completely shattered right now, but as we've seen so often from the Serb, he has the ability to somehow respond when the odds are stacked firmly against him.

See what I mean?! Just when he looks despondent, Djokovic copies Murray in serving out to love. He's in the set, but remains a break behind. There were much shorter rallies in the game - a sign that Djokovic is perhaps tiring and is looking to finish the points as early as possible. Perhaps his long semi-final against Stan Wawrinka is taking its toll.

BREAK! At 15-30 down, Murray finds the net from the baseline, handing Djokovic two break points and the chance to level up proceedings. The first is saved, but the second, Murray once again sees his forehand stroke clatter into the net and bounce down on his side of the court. Just when it looks as though Djokovic is on the ropes, he responds. That's the mark of a true champion.

A seemingly reinvigorated Djokovic eases into a 30-0 lead, but then sloppiness creeps in as Murray draws level at 30 points apiece. However, there is to be no drama on this occasion as the world number one wins the next two points to hold. He's gone from 2-0 down to 3-2 in front.

It's a quick start to the game from Murray, who never gives Djokovic a moment to settle and pick his spot. The Scot uses the court ever so well, hitting three winners before sealing the third game with an ace.

Meanwhile, here's Jamie Murray - Andy's brother - on Twitter:

2hrs 30mins for 2 sets. These guys are a different breed. Who can continue to keep this level longest? #ausopen — Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) February 1, 2015

A neat return and volley-smash from Murray provides the suggestion that another break is in the offing as he draws level at 30 all. It then becomes a real possibility as the Scot drives a fully committed forehand down the line, bringing up break point. A stunning rally follows, which ends with a sprinting Murray hitting the net, which takes the game into deuce. After that, Djokovic survives to go 4-3 up.

BREAK! A very dodgy start to the game for Murray, who flashes two shots wide either side of the court to give Djokovic a 0-30 advantage. The next point is all about Djokovic, who shows fantastic footwork to hand himself three break points. Murray's next move is a great serve which Djokovic can only return long, but then comes a double fault. Could this be the defining moment of the final? Murray is not happy and he is taking it out on his racket. Meanwhile, Djokovic is preparing to serve for the set.

Two shots from Murray on the back-foot find the net, bringing up a brace of set points for Djokovic. One is all that he needs. Who saw that coming at the start of the set? Djokovic looked down and out. Murray, now, must regain focus because he's lost a lot of concentration in those last two or three games.

#Djokovic moves to within 1 set of an historic 5th #ausopen crown, going 7-6 6-7 6-3 up on #Murray #ausopenfinal pic.twitter.com/I3tbITxIuO — Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2015

BREAK! Physically, Murray looks to be struggling as he finds the net twice in quick succession to hand Djokovic a 15-30 lead. However, he is then let back in by the Serb, who commits an unforced error. In the next point, though, Djokovic reads the second serve and gives himself a break opportunity. Not for the first time, Murray then sends his forehand stroke into the net and is broken. It looks a long way back for Murray now - he's got to dig deep.

There is a real bounce in Djokovic's step right now. He opens up a 40-15 lead with a fantastic forehand cross-court shot that just catches the line. Murray then wins an entertaining rally, but next time around he badly overhits a forehand stroke, which flies out. You get the impression that Djokovic is sensing blood.

This is surely all over bar the shouting! Murray looks broken, both physically and mentally. Djokovic gets two break points, but once again he only needs one as he fires a return beyond the reach of a tired Murray. The Serb is three games away from winning the Australian Open for a fifth time.

Some spirit at least from Murray, who forces deuce from 40-15 down. Yet, the second serve from Djokovic proves to be the difference as he bounces one right into Murray's body to give himself a game point. A forehand winner wraps up. Two games to go.

A match as good as this doesn't deserve to end this way, but such has been Djokovic's dominance in this set, it could conclude in a bagel. He's opened the floodgates against a majorly tired Murray, who can muster just the one point in that exchange.

GAME, SET AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP! And there we have it. There was very little between the duo for two and a half sets, but Djokovic has shown great mental and physical strength to prosper.

To give you an indication as to how dominant Djokovic was towards the end of that contest, he won 12 of the last 13 games. No doubt Murray will be pleased with his efforts over the last fortnight, but the way that he fell apart here will have left him bitterly disappointed.

Here's former Australian tennis player Pat Cash, talking to BBC Sport: "Andy Murray has just melted down. I've not seen anyone melt down like this for a long time."

Incidentally, this is Djokovic's eighth Grand Slam title, drawing him level with Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi. That's not bad company to be keeping! At the age of 27, you'd expect to win a few more as well.

The presentation is now underway, with both players expected to talk. We will hang around to give up a snippet of what is being said.

First up is Murray:

"Firstly I'd like to congratulate Novak on his fabulous record. I had amazing support again here and it's probably been my most consistent Grand Slam throughout my career. I'd also like to thank my team. We put in a lot of hard work to try to get back into this division after what was a difficult year last year."

And now the five-time champion:

"I want to return the favour and congratulate Andy on a great tournament. You fight a lot. My team, that is with me through good and bad times, they tolerate a lot of things from me on and off the court. They sacrifice their lives for me to be out here. To be in the elite group of players and all the legends of our sport is an honour".

And with that, let's conclude Sports Mole's coverage of the Australian Open for the year. We hope that you've enjoyed it, not just today, but over the last fortnight. Next up, the French Open, as well as a host of ATP events. Until next time, goodbye.