Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne

We all know about the potency of Elena Rybakina's first serve and, even though the underlying numbers are impressive this fortnight, it hasn't always been as damaging as she would like.

Her first-serve percentage has been lower than usual on occasions - including this evening.

It was down at about 40% before she laced three in a row to help turn the eighth game around from 15-40.

That's how vital Rybakina's first serve is to her game - even though she has been stressing the importance of sometimes needing to find other ways.

I was stunned to see Elena Rybakina was under 50% of first serves in at the start of that game, given how strong she has looked in this final when hitting the first ball.

She finds some big first serves when she needs them to save two break points and hold serve for a 5-3 lead.

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Aryna Sabalenka is getting some rhythm now. She is striking the ball pretty well.

Elena Rybakina played some unbelievable shots in the first few games, but she sprayed a forehand or two just then. That will be the side Sabalenka will choose to attack.

Ace on the first, unreturnable serve on the second.

That's how you save two break points.

Image source, Getty Images

Aryna Sabalenka has been unable to make any sort of impact in her return games until now - Elena Rybakina goes just wide and Sabalenka has two break points.

Aryna Sabalenka moves into a 30-0 lead and although she nets a forehand on the next point, she eventually wraps up a comfortable service hold with her fourth ace of the match.

Her main objective now is to try to find a way to break Elena Rybakina in either of her next two return games, otherwise the world number one will be a set down.

Image source, Getty Images

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

If Elena Rybakina carries on playing like this, she is unplayable.

She is getting great depth behind her groundstrokes, a little more impact through the court, and not many people can get Aryna Sabalenka on the move like this.

She is out-foxing her opponent at the minute.

One of the points of the match so far as both players hit deep continuously before Elena Rybakina whips a superb backhand away for a winner.

She repeats that trick on the very next point on her way to securing a 4-2 lead in the first set.

A hold to love for Aryna Sabalenka.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne

Fire versus ice is how I described this clash of personalities before the match.

We've already seen that.

Aryna Sabalenka wears her heart on sleeve and her annoyance at a scratchy start is clear. Lots of gesticulating going on with her arms.

Elena Rybakina is much more robotic. Rarely does she show her emotion. Keep calm and carry on...

Elena Rybakina recovers from a double fault on the first point with another routine service hold.

The Kazakh, playing in her first Grand Slam final for three years, appears to have settled the quicker of the two finalists.

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Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

It looks like everything is a bit rushed for Aryna Sabalenka. It doesn't look like she is getting enough time to get her racquet back on return.

She is just so panicked to get that first strike in that she is just overplaying everything at the moment, instead of building the points and staying patient.

You can see her mind racing.

Elena Rybakina is all over Aryna Sabalenka's serve when it is in her hitting zone. Another forehand is crunched away for a return winner for 15-15.

Sabalenka finds some control in the rest of the game, though, and an ace at 40-30 means she is on the scoreboard in the final.

Image source, Getty Images

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think Elena Rybakina's start could have been any better, to be honest.

She just came straight back at Aryna Sablenka with some real sledgehammer stuff. She looks so calm out there. You just cannot read her psychologically because she just calmly strolls around.

But, my goodness, can she hit a tennis ball.

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live via the link at the top of this page.

Elena Rybakina backs up the opening break with a hold to love.

There are a couple of resigned looks after errors by Aryna Sabalenka - her opponent has made a fast start but it's still very early days.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne

Daphne is in the house!

The Australian Open women’s singles trophy - known as the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup - took centre stage before the players trotted out.

Perched on the net, the silverware was gleaming under the spotlight and reminding the 15,000 crowd of what is at stake.

Sabalenka must have two replicas stashed somewhere at home.

Just the start Elena Rybakina will have wanted.

She picks up the pace off the ground again and Aryna Sabalenka goes wide with a forehand.