Here's when the 2019 Australian Open final starts where you live and how you can watch it live online

Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for Tennis Australia

2019 Australian Open.

• The biggest names in tennis are all vying for the first major piece of silverware in the 2019 tennis season.
• Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are all on a collision course en route to the Australian Open men's singles title.
• While the race for the women's crown is just as compelling, and features the old guard like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, as well as the new generation like Sloane Stephens and Noami Osaka.
• The men's and women's Australian Open final takes place next weekend.
• Here's everything you need to know.

The 2019 Australian Open in Melbourne is at the midway point and things are heating up ahead of unmissable finals in the men's and women's divisions.

Most of the sport's biggest names remain in the competition, as Roger Federer continues his quest for a record seventh Australian Open title, alongside challengers like Rafa Nadal, Alexander Zverev, and Novak Djokovic.

Things are equally as compelling in the women's singles competition. Maria Sharapova rolled back the years to stun reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki in the third round, while Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Naomi Osaka, Angelicque Kerber, and Serena Williams remain in firm contention for silverware.

It all promises to come to a dramatic head ahead of the tournament final next week.

Read more: Alexis Ohanian says he keeps a spreadsheet of everything he owns while Serena Williams, his wife, 'has no idea where all of her trophies are'

When is the 2019 Australian Open final?

The 2019 Austrlian Open final takes place over two days next weekend.

The women's singles final will start at 7.30 p.m. (local time) on Saturday, January 26, while the men's singles final takes place at the same time the next day, January 27.

Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP/Getty Images

Maria Sharapova.

Here's what time the Australian Open women's final is expected to start in major cities across different time zones on Saturday, January 26:

• London (BST): 8.30 a.m.
• New York (ET): 3.30 a.m.
• Chicago (CT): 2.30 a.m.
• Denver (MT): 1.30 a.m.
• Las Vegas (PT): 0.30 a.m.
• Los Angeles (PT): 0.30 a.m.
• Honolulu (HAST): 10.30 p.m. (Friday)
• Sydney (AET): 7.30 p.m.
• Tokyo (JST): 5.30 p.m
• Moscow (MSK): 11.30 a.m
• Paris (CEST): 9.30 a.m

And here are the expected times for the men's final on Sunday, January 27:

• London (BST): 8.30 a.m.
• New York (ET): 3.30 a.m.
• Chicago (CT): 2.30 a.m.
• Denver (MT): 1.30 a.m.
• Las Vegas (PT): 0.30 a.m.
• Los Angeles (PT): 0.30 a.m.
• Honolulu (HAST): 10.30 p.m. (Saturday)
• Sydney (AET): 7.30 p.m.
• Tokyo (JST): 5.30 p.m
• Moscow (MSK): 11.30 a.m
• Paris (CEST): 9.30 a.m

Why should I watch?

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Roger Federer.

Because after a small hiatus, the tennis season is back and has already delivered plenty of drama.

The year began with a bang when Roger Federer and Serena Williams played each other for the first time in history in a must-see doubles match at the Hopman Cup. Williams praised Federer after the match, called him the "greatest of all time," and even took a selfie with the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

The Australian Open is the first of the four tennis majors to be contested this year, and carries many potential storylines. Can Federer win a third successive Australian Open men's singles title, for a record seventh in his career? Will Novak Djokovic maintain his dominance from the latter half of last season? Or will a new king like Zverev announce himself?

Read more: Roger Federer has 15 near-perfect qualities but 2 glaring weaknesses, according to a tennis research group

The race for the women's singles title is even more competitive as the experienced heads like Williams and Sharapova look to fend off the challenge from their younger challengers like Stephens and Osaka.

How can I watch live?

Audiences in the US can watch the Australian Open on ESPN and the Tennis Channel.

Viewers in the UK, meanwhile, require a Eurosport subscription which can be bought on Sky, Virgin Media, or TV Player. However, it can also be purchased through the Amazon Prime Video offer which is 1p a month for the first six months.

Check back for links to watch the Australian Open live online closer to the final dates.