Russians Sharapova, Makarova prepare for semifinals showdown
MELBOURNE, Australia – One is quiet and shies away from the media spotlight, while the other is the most well known (and well-paid) female athlete in the world.
But on Tuesday at the Australian Open two Russians – Ekaterina Makarova and Maria Sharapova – won through to the semifinals, where they'll face one another. It marks the first all-Russian Grand Slam semifinal in six years, when at this tournament Dinara Safina defeated Vera Zvonareva in 2009.
"I never beat her, so it will be tough," said Makarova, the world No. 11, of her impending meeting with Sharapova. "I want to enjoy this time. We'll see what happens."
Sharapova wasted no time in joining her compatriot in the last four after Makarova had upset No. 3 seed Simona Halep 6-4, 6-0. In a much-anticipated match against rising star Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, Sharapova out-shined her younger opponent in every facet, winning going away 6-3, 6-2.
"I had to have a really good performance against Genie because she has been playing so well at Slams, so confident and aggressive," the world No. 2 said on court. "I had to take that away from her. I just try to keep my ground and be that aggressive player. I'm happy to be at this stage of the tournament."
Wednesday the second pair of women's quarterfinals will take place as world No. 1 Serena Williams takes on Dominika Cibulkova and Venus Williams meets Madison Keys in an all-American clash.
Sharapova is a bonafide superstar, having won five Grand Slams in her career and worth an estimated $24 million, according to Forbes. Makarova, on the other hand, told reporters on Tuesday that doing a press conference inside this tournament's main interview room was more intimidating than playing in a major quarterfinal.
"I don't like to be so popular," she told USA Today Sports in an interview earlier this week. "I'm quite shy (laughs). After all the media, I get so tired. Every time, I don't do too much with the media."
Makarova, however, has not shied away from success here in Melbourne – or recently on tour. She has made the quarterfinals here three of the last four years and is now into her second consecutive Grand Slam semifinal having made the last four at the US Open in September.
"I need to believe to (in) myself and don't really think (about) that it's semis, that I'm one step from final," said Marakaova, who is 26. "So it's just a normal match like always, you know. Just go out there and enjoy my game."
Sharapova will be playing in her 19th Grand Slam semifinal, having an even 9-9 record at such stage.
In their five career meetings, Makarova has won just one set against her countrywoman. Sharapova won their last meeting 6-2, 6-2, which came here in the quarterfinals in 2013.