It looked like Makarova didn't have an alternative to a gameplan of trying to out-hit Sharapova, which isn't working, but perhaps she does.

The 11th seed takes a little off her groundstrokes to keep the ball in play, but remains aggressive by coming to the net. A couple of double faults from Sharapova and Makarova is rewarded with two breaks points.

However, Sharapova has no intention of staying out here longer than she has to, bringing up deuce with an ace. Makarova throws in two more errors and concedes the game. She will now serve to stay in the match.

Image source, EPA

Some respite for Makarova as she moves to 40-0 with relative ease and though Sharapova takes the next two points with some big, big hitting, the second seed's forehand then lets her down. Makarova is on the board in this set.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"News of the all-US contest coming up next - Serena Williams has been seen hitting freely on the outside courts this morning, with no sign of the coughing fits that have afflicted her in recent days, while Madison Keys chose to hit indoors. Her troublesome thigh was heavily strapped, but ESPN report she was smiling at the end and said she felt 'better than yesterday'."

When Makarova's forehand works, it's a very handy weapon. The Russian fires a forehand deep into the corner and follows it up with a sizzler down the line for 0-15. Unfortunately, we've not seen enough of it today.

Still, she has a chance at 0-30 courtesy of a Sharapova double-fault only to throw it away with three successive unforced errors. Sharapova then closes out the game with an ace to move just two games away from the final.

Image source, Getty Images

The longer the rally, the less likely it is that Makarova will win it. The 11th seed is struggling with the depth and placement of her groundstrokes and Sharapova is taking advantage.

Makarova fires long to gift Sharapova a break point and she takes it with a backhand cross-court volley. It'll be along way back for Makarova now if she is to turn it around.

Sharapova throws in her fourth double fault of the match as Makarova closes to 40-30, but the 11th seed sprays another forehand out of court and Sharapova consolidates the break.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on Radio 5 live sports extra

"Sharapova deserved the first set for the stunning sequence of returns she put together in the eighth game, just as the set had looked as if it was back in the balance. She looks in the mood, and hardly ever loses to other Russians these days."

Oh dear. The first game of the second set has not gone well for Makarova, whose unforced error count has rocketed to 17. The 11th seed is broken for the third time in the match.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"Sharapova wins eight of the last nine points to take the set, finally getting over those serving glitches in the gusting wind. Makarova has simply not been able to punish the most vulnerable part of Sharapova's game, winning just 27% of points on the former champion's second serve. Give Sharapova the chance to set her feet and swing and there are few to rival her - 15 winners to five making the difference."

Ruthless stuff from Sharapova who races through a love service game to clinch the first set. Makarova needs to get Sharapova on the run, because her compatriot is dictating the play all too easily.

Image source, Getty Images

Sharapova gave herself a stern talking to at the end of that last game and it seems to have done the trick.

After losing the first point, the Russian goes on the attack, battering the Makarova serve and hitting four clean winners to break again. She will now serve for the set.

Better from Makarova, the 11th seed stepping inside the baseline to attack a forehand and gain a sniff of a chance at 15-30. Sharapova then gift-wrap's two break points with an untimely double-fault.

The first goes wanting, Makarova just snatching at backhand but she is successful second time round as Sharapova dumps a forehand in the net. "Come on," roars Makarova in the direction of her box. Sloppy from Sharapova and we're back on serve.

Flashes of form from Makarova, the Russian connecting perfectly with a forehand that sizzles down the line for 30-15. But she soon finds herself at deuce, as she has done in both her service games so far.

Break point for Sharapova, the second seed punishing another short ball with a textbook forehand down the line. But Makarova's serve comes to the rescue and she comes through as Sharapova fires wide. Makarova is hanging on to her compatriots coattails, just.

Image source, AP

Sharapova is starting to motor now, the Russian cruising through her service game for the loss of just a single point and that lengthy first game is now a thing of the past.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"Speaking of Russian tennis, the Fed Cup team for next month's clash against Poland and the Radwanskas has been announced. It will be led by Sharapova, causing much interest as the world number two has only ever represented her country three times in the event. Makarova is not involved and the captain is the aforementioned Anastasia Myskina, the former French Open champion (who had a 3-2 record against Sharapova)."

Makarova's first serve looks very ropey at the moment, the ball sitting up and just asking to be hit. Sharapova obliges and earns herself two break points after her opponent dumps a forehand in the net.

At last, the 11th seed finds a couple of big serves to bring up deuce and despite facing a couple more break points, Makarova grinds out the game and gets herself on the board. That should help the nerves.

Sharapova has won 21 of her last 22 matches against Russians, a stretch that dates back to the start of the 2011 season.

And it looks like the five-time Grand Slam champion wants to wrap up a 22nd victory in super-quick time after that first game blip.

The second seed races through her service game to love. Makarova needs to find some form - and quick.

If you were wondering what the only loss in that run was, it came against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Paris Indoors last year.

It's another lengthy game, with Makarova now coming under pressure on serve, the Russian shanking a backhand to bring up deuce.

Sharapova piles on the pressure and while a return drifts just long on a first break point, she makes no mistake on her next opportunity, hammering a short ball down the line for a forehand winner.

Cue clenched fist and a shriek of "come on". Sharapova breaks and after the hopeful start in the first game, Makarova now finds herself on the ropes.

It's pretty breezy out on Rod Laver and it's clear Sharapova isn't enjoying the conditions, the Russian struggling with her ball toss and immediately facing a couple of break points after being hauled to deuce.

It's not pretty, but somehow, Sharapova digs herself out of trouble and comes through a 10-minute game. We could be here some time, folks...

The umpire is ready. The players are ready. Are you ready? Good. Let's play tennis.