Ekaterina Makarova has ousted fifth seed Angelique Kerber to reach the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.
Makarova defeated Kerber 7-5 6-3 in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
“Everything is, the crowd is so perfect, my team is [doing a] great job, I’m so happy,” the 24-year-old beamed. “I’m so happy to beat Kerber because last year I lost three times to her. I’m so happy.”
It was the game that most people thought Kerber would win, to prove herself as a title contender, but that time wasn't to come. The Russian player broke after 15 minutes in the opening set.
Serving at 5-2, Makarova wobbled. Kerber smashed her way back in, winning three games on the trot to level the set. But Makarova remained undiminished. Taking stock in the shade at the back of Melbourne’s Centre Court, she broke the German’s left-handed serve to love, and served out the set after 46 minutes.
The second set was just as tight. And Kerber’s discomfort on court became clear as she left the court for a medical timeout at 3-2. Receiving treatment again at 4-3, whatever remedy the physio employed seemed to be working as the German earned herself two break points. But three forced errors got Makarova out of a tight spot, and she completed the hold with an ace.
From there, Kerber had nothing left. Broken to 30 by her unforgiving opponent, she could merely sit and watch as Makarova served out the victory to love, finishing with her fifth ace.
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