Serena for 18 straight at Melbourne Park

The greatest female player of the last generation is back and firing, and today in the heat of Melbourne Park will be transferring that heat on to her unfortunate opponent Russian Ekaterina Makarova. Makarova, unseeded, has reached the fourth round for the second year running, throwing fellow Russian and seventh seed Vera Zvonareva out of the tournament. On that form, defeating the 12th seed should not be out possibility's realms. However, when that 12th seed happens to be Serena, reassessment is compulsory.

If seedings mean anything in the second week, we could see a Williams Sharapova quarter final and then if seedings don't mean a thing a Williams Kvitova semi final. That of course is moving a little ahead of ourselves, because these fourth round matches need to be played out.

Makarova has played Williams once previously, back in 2009, so nothing to be read into head to head competition. To win a single set from the American would be a massive achievement and that is not meant to be patronising, but realistic based on experience.

Far from acting as the underdog, Makarova matched Serena in the first four games, and then capitalised on wayward shots from the champion to break in the fifth game. A mere blip in Serena's progress? Not on your life! Ekaterina was threading several needles with her pinpoint backhands and forehands, the lefthander probably doing so in preparation for sewing up the set. She held serve with ease and broke again to lead 5-2.

After a long struggle, the set indeed was sewn up, all by hand, with plenty of cotton to spare.
6-2 Makarova and my selection for the singles title would need to win this in three to go any further. Was I surprised? Only stunned.

The one flaw in Makarova's first set performance was that she angered Williams and players ought not do that without substantial life insurance and a top notch body guard. Serena fired her first second set salvo by holding her serve with brilliance, then passing Makarova at least three times with glorious groundstrokes on the way to breaking the Russian serve for the first time in the match. Here she cometh. Well not quite yet - Makarova had some breaking of her own left to deliver and did so with aplomb in game three. The fourth game was only played as a balancing item. The sides of the scales were content at 2-2.

Authorities released an announcement that Serena Williams was in serious trouble after she double faulted on break point in the fifth game. Attempts to bring her to safety began with Makarova's next service game, but the rescue was made difficult by Ekaterina's interference, especially her continual need to win points and then the sixth game.

Serena had a chance to go up a break point in the eight game but hit a smash straight to Makarova's hitting range and the game soon after was the Russian's 5-3. Williams now serving to stay in Melboune. Match point at 30-40. Saved with an ace. Eventually weight of match points crushed Serena and Ekaterina won her greatest of victories. If Makarova does translate to macaroon as rumour suggests, then she will be feasting on those delicacies this evening.

Makarova 6-2 6-3 and to play winner of Shriekapova and Lisicki in the quarter finals.