Makarova wins the toss and chooses to receive. We're minutes away, folks.

The players have strolled out on court, wearing varying shades of neon orange.

The crowd on Rod Laver Arena were treated to a deciding set in the first match of the day, with Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau winning their men's doubles semi-final.

Will they get the same again in this all-Russian last four encounter?

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"It's bright and breezy - it's always breezy at Melbourne Park - 19C, and the growing sense of anticipation mingled with the aroma of deep fried chicken products tells us that the crowd is making final preparations for a big day ahead.

British eyes might sneak a look at Court Six soon, where Katie Swan will play her junior quarter-final, and the 15-year-old from Bristol has named Sharapova among her tennis idols.

Well, the woman herself is about to get under way now the doubles have finished on Rod Laver Arena in the first all-Russian Grand Slam semi-final since Dinara Safina beat Vera Zvonareva here six years ago."

Image source, EPA

Ekaterina Makarova, the 10th seed, is in impressive form, returning to the top 10 for the first time earlier this year.

The Russian has won all her matches in Melbourne in straight sets and for the loss of just 27 games.

This is her second Grand Slam semi-final, after making the last four at the US Open last year. Can she trouble Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion?

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"A lot of the focus has been on the Williams sisters and bright new American hope Madison Keys, but this is a big day for Russian tennis. With the likes of Anastasia Myskina, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina long gone, Maria Sharapova has remained the nation's leading light - albeit one based in Florida. Ekaterina Makarova was asked after her quarter-final whether her illustrious compatriot "feels different" to the other Russian players. 'That's a tough question,' she said. 'I just want to leave it.'"

Image source, Getty Images

There's no doubt Maria Sharapova wants this. Since her one and only Australian Open title back in 2008, the Russian has only won two Grand Slams.

But today, she stands just one match away from a fourth final at Melbourne Park and a potential match-up with top seed Serena Williams.

Victory, too, will see her remain in the hunt to regain the world number one status. Standing in her way is compatriot Ekaterina Makarova, who has never beaten the second seed in five attempts. Will it be sixth time lucky?