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One of the big unknowns before today's final is how well (or not) both finalists will have recovered from their marathon semi-finals on Friday.

Carlos Alcaraz was on court for almost five and a half hours against Alexander Zverev and was struggling physically during the third set.

Novak Djokovic's semi-final lasted just over four hours, but he had a very lengthy wait for his match to start and it was close to 01:30 local time on Saturday morning when he finally got over the line against Jannik Sinner.

Friday was a day that tennis fans will not forget in a hurry.

Carlos Alcaraz came through a five-set epic with third seed Alexander Zverev that lasted almost five and a half hours to reach his first Melbourne final.

If you thought that was the end of the day's drama, you were wrong.

Novak Djokovic ended two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner's reign by winning an equally-absorbing five-set classic that finished in the early hours of Saturday morning local time.

Today's final has a lot to live up to.

BBC Sounds

The BBC Sport team in Melbourne have been producing a daily podcast rounding up all of the action from the Australian Open.

Saturday was no exception, with reflections on Elena Rybakina beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win the women's title and a preview of today's men's singles final.

Head to BBC Sounds for all episodes.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne

Whenever Novak Djokovic plays in a huge match at Melbourne Park, the Serb diaspora flock there in force.

There are about 30,000 Serbs in the city, according to local government data, and it will feel like every single one of them is here.

The garden area outside of Rod Laver Arena will be packed with Djokovic fans - wearing all sorts of Serb apparel - glued to the big screen.

Passes to enter the grounds cost A$35 (£18). It's a small price to pay to potentially see your hero - whether you're supporting Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz - create history.

Getting on court is a different story. One Alcaraz fan told me last night that tickets were going for A$3,000 (£1,525).

Elena Rybakina's only other Grand Slam success was at Wimbledon in 2022.

The men's champion at SW19 that year was Novak Djokovic.

Will history repeat itself at the 2026 Aussie Open?

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Here are some of the key moments from Elena Rybakina's victory against Aryna Sabalenka...

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Elena Rybakina defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a close final to win the women's title on Saturday.

Kazakh fifth seed Rybakina, 26, won the first set but Sabalenka levelled before then taking a 3-0 lead in the decider.

However, 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina put together a run of five successive games to regain control of the match and sealed her second major title with an ace.

Yesterday, a new women's champion was crowned and Elena Rybakina has been parading the newest addition to her trophy cabinet in Melbourne today.

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Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne

Whoever wins the Australian Open men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will create history.

But, unlike Alcaraz, Djokovic does not have time on his side.

That is why this final feels so crucial for Djokovic - and that could provide the fuel to fire him to crowning glory.

Read more analysis about the factors which might decide the final.

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Carlos Alcaraz is bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, eclipsing the Open era record of his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

Aged 22, Alcaraz is already a six-time major champion. He has won the French Open twice, two Wimbledon titles and two US Opens.

The Australian Open has proved to be a tougher nut for him to crack until now - he had never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne before this tournament.

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Novak Djokovic has appeared in 10 Australian Open finals and won the lot.

If he wins for a record-extending 11th time in Melbourne today, it would also take him to a new standalone record of major singles titles.

Djokovic currently shares that record with Margaret Court on 24.

Surely number 25 would end any lingering dispute about whether Djokovic is tennis' GOAT?

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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are on the cusp of history.

For 22-year-old Alcaraz, it's the chance to become the youngest male player to complete a career Grand Slam.

For 38-year-old Djokovic, it's the chance to set a new all-time record for major title victories.

Only one of these two great champions will be celebrating in a few hours' time.

Welcome to live text and radio coverage of the 2026 Australian Open men's singles final.