David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Melbourne Park

Rafa looks like he's been chained up before this match. My goodness he's charged up for this.

He's so good at being up for every point and giving it maximum effort.

The perfect start.

Rafael Nadal holds to love in his opening service game - finishing with a dart of a forehand.

That'll do nicely.

Here we go then: a tug of the shorts, a tap of the nose and a move of the hair - Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam season is in session.

Was I the only person who didn't know Fantasy Tennis League was a thing?

I picked my team of 16 this morning and I'm a bit obsessed now. Let's just hope they do better than my Fantasy Football team, who are languishing at the bottom of the BBC Sport league.

Even if you don't *actually* play fantasy tennis, who would be your star pick for the season? What about your captain or cheap option for the bench?

Let us know via #bbctennis on Twitter.

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

There's a strong possibility we will have a repeat of last year's final and if Nadal is fit and healthy, which it seems he is, then I think Rafa will win the title.

Both players are out, warming up out on court.

I've had to put my sunglasses on to cope with Rafa Nadal's outfit choice.

Let's just say it's pink. Very, very pink.

At 37 years old, Victor Estrella Burgos is a veteran of the tour circuit.

The world number 81, from the Dominican Republic, reached the second round of Melbourne for the first time last year.

This is his 15th Grand Slam appearance overall - his best performance coming at the US Open in 2014 when he got to the third round.

This is the first time Estrella Burgos has played Rafael Nadal.

Image source, Getty Images

This is the first chance we've had to see world number one Rafael Nadal in action since he lost to David Goffin and withdrew from the ATP Finals in London back in November.

He was due to play in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi between Christmas and new year, and feature in the Brisbane International in the first week of the year, but pulled out with his troublesome knee problem.

The Spaniard was a finalist here last year - in his epic clash against Roger Federer - but he was unable to add a second Aussie Open title.

Image source, Getty Images

I know we all want to see Andy Murray on court, but I am enjoying his social media drops whilst he recovers from hip surgery.

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Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, BBC Sport

The clouds have parted and the drizzle abated after a few dodgy days, and we finally have a proper Melbourne tennis night ahead of us. Garden Square is filling up as those without tickets choose to watch the big screen instead, and apparently 48,149 spectators have passed through the gates today.

They could be in for a big evening, with not only Nadal but Aussie hopes Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova in action.

Mark Woodforde
12-time Grand Slam doubles champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Melbourne Park

I have been impressed with Nick. I have been in Australia since mid-December and he was practising in the national tennis centre. I was able to spend a bit more time with him over various meals and I was very pleasantly surprised by his attitude and I am really expecting a huge year from Nick Kyrgios. He is ready to take huge steps into stardom.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Right here we'll bring you live updates from Rafael Nadal's first-round match with world number 81 Victor Estrella Burgos.

The pair are due on court at the Rod Laver Arena very shortly.

You can also listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

We'll also keep you updated with the latest scores from around the grounds, with second seed Caroline Wozniacki and Australian Nick Kyrgios in action.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Murray's (and Great Britain Davis Cup) fitness trainer Matt Little took time out from rehabbing the British number one to follow the British number two...

In case you're just joining us, here's what's happened so far on day one in Melbourne.

• Britain's Kyle Edmund knocked out 11th seed and US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in five sets.
• Third seed Grigor Dimitrov progressed with a straight-set win over Austrian qualifier Dennis Novak.
• Unseeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland beat 2017 runner-up Venus Williams.
• US Open champion Sloane Stephens was knocked out by China's Zhang Shuai.

Image source, Getty Images

*Clears throat for first 'VAMOS!' of the Grand Slam season*

Image source, Getty Images

And with Kelsey Anderson nicely summing up Kyle Edmund's victory over her husband Kevin, it's time for us to leave you for the moment.

If you want to re-live that five-set thriller, then you can do so here with Piers Newbery's report from Melbourne.

A cracking way to start day one, and let's hope there'll be just as much drama when we rejoin you from 08:00 GMT for Rafael Nadal's opener against Victor Estrella Burgos.

Until then...

Generous words from Kevin Anderson's wife, Kelsey...

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BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Don't forget, you can tune in to Tennis Breakfast on 5 live Sports Extra from 07:00 GMT.

We’ll be back to bring you live text commentary of world number one Rafael Nadal against Victor Estrella Burgos, which opens the night session from 08:00 GMT.

There have already been a few shocks in the women's draw, and it's not been a great start for the Americans...

Last year's finalist Venus Williams lost 6-3 7-5 to Belinda Bencic, before CoCo Vandeweghe was beaten 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 by Timea Babos.

And US Open champion Sloane Stephens is also out, slipping to a 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 defeat by China's Zhang Shuai.

And what about that illuminous pink outfit?

"I dont think it really suited me, but it did the job, didn't it?" added Edmund.

It certainly did, Kyle...

Image source, AFP