Leon Smith
Great Britain Davis Cup captain

"Konta started very well and hit the ball very well, using variety, with angles and spin, but then went toe-to-toe and tried to trade blows with the big-hitting Makarova. She has a good first serve and needs to get that going again so she can dictate the points."

Image source, EPA

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka beat Barbora Strycova in straight sets to set up a quarter-final tie with Angelique Kerber. 

"I played smart, I played aggressive and I took my opportunities. Can someone tell me if the Broncos won?" she said afterwards.

When she heard the Denver Broncos had beaten the New England Patriots 20-18 to reach the Super Bowl, she shouted "Yesss!!'' and raising both arms, added "I'm so happy now.''

Konta serving to stay in the set. The Briton's skirt gently fluttering in the Melbourne breeze, the conditions perhaps to blame for the double fault which trickles from her racquet? 

Makarova hitting with pin-point accuracy, Konta crumbling. Three set points for the Russian. Surely there's no way back from here? 

Konta arrows a serve to the wings. One break point saved. Makarova forehand long from the baseline. Two break points saved. But the British number one surrenders with a whimper, coughing up a double fault to lose her first set of the tournament. 

Image source, AP

Fortune favours Konta as a net cord falls her way, allowing the Brit to level at 15-15. A first double fault from Makarova and Konta nips further ahead. 

But, predictably, the Russian reels her opponent back in only to let her scamper away thanks to another double fault. 40-30. Self-inflicted anxiety. 

We're forced to deuce, though, and the Makarova first serve does its job this time, earning its owner a point for advantage. On the next point, the Russian advances to the net, volleys with aplomb to see off Konta's challenge. 

Konta's first serve percentage is below 40%, which will be a worry for the Briton and her crew, and it explains how the Russian has clawed her way back into this match. 

The Briton's serve reliable in this game, however, as she holds to 15 to level the match. 

Image source, AFP

Leon Smith
Great Britain Davis Cup captain

"Makarova showed her experience to weather the storm. There were the first signs of Konta showing slight anxiety because she's been playing really well so far."

Shots which were kissing the paint early on in this match are now drifting wide or long by a fraction. Konta in trouble. Konta 40-15 down. Makarova playing with aggression. She's powerful and precise and reels off another game.

Dave W: That lefty serve to Jo's backhand is causing problems.If Jo can master that she takes out Makarova's biggest weapon.

Are those missed opportunities playing with Konta's mind or can the Brit refocus and reassess to push on in this set? 

For those interested in this sort of thing, the British number one wearing a fuchsia pink top and matching trainers and a white visor.  

Konta gives out a short, sharp yelp as she watches Makarova's forehand drift long, levelling at 30-30. 

A baseline slug-fest ensues, bish, bash, bosh, Konta hoping for a chink in Makarova's forehand but there isn't one, and the Russian steps in from the baseline to grab a break point. 

Konta goes on the offensive, but Makarova holds firm, defending and defending, until Konta's forehand drifts towards the tape. 

Kenny Bear: Come on Johanna Konta!!!! She is playing amazing! Loving the tennis so much a little upset to go to work!

Image source, AFP

Stan Wawrinka has found his focus over on Rod Laver Arena. He's won a 61-minute fourth set 6-4 against Milos Raonic to take the Canadian to a fifth set.

Raonic claimed the first two sets 6-4 6-3 before Wawrinka fought back to take the third 7-5.

Who'll win the decider?

Nine minutes have elapsed, this undoubtedly the longest game of the match. 

When Makarova's first serves go in, the Russian is lethal, but the 21st seed, at times, has the composure of an apprentice, nervously spraying shots out of bounds. 

But the favourite pulls through for what could be a significant hold. 

Makarova sneaks to advantage, but Konta is forcing the Russian to make uncharacteristic errors, her defending forcing Makarova into rash shots. Back to deuce we go. 

The Russian then misses a makeable backhand to giftwrap Konta a break point. But the British number one can't turn the screw when her opponent is at her most vulnerable. 

But that is dreamy from Konta, letting rip on the return to punish Makarova's second serve. Ouch. 

Deuce. Advantage. Will this game ever end? Who knows. The Makarova backhand faltering, into the tramline the Russian's shot flies. Deuce. 

Image source, AFP

Konta forcing Makarova onto her heels with a boomer of a forehand before killing her off with a forehand into the other corner. A one-two sucker punch for the opening point. 

Makarova screws a backhand long. A sniff for Konta at 15-30. But the Russian levels. At ease. 

Brilliant defending from Konta, fetching and retrieving until the Russian spills a forehand wide. Break point. 

But we're at deuce. Again. The first serve coming to Makarova's rescue. 

Ding! Ding! First blow to Konta. Plenty more rounds to go, however, before this match reaches a conclusion. 

First signs of frustration as Makarova angrily slaps her thigh after a return sails well wide of the target, but the Russian soon sneaks ahead, overpowering Konta from the baseline for a 15-30 lead. 

Oof! Bravo! Aggression from Konta, stepping in and whipping a forehand into the corner. Makarova wouldn't have fetched that had she started running yesterday. 30-30. No reaction inside the sparsely populated Margaret Court Arena, however. 

Konta, nerves of steel, saves a break point, lasering a first serve to the wings, and eventually holds to consolidate her lead. 

Image source, Getty Images

Konta steals the opening two points and the Briton works her opponent this way and that before threading a forehand into the corner for three break points. THREE BREAK POINTS! You're right, it's too early for caps and exclamation marks. 

It isn't too early for a break of serve, though, as the Briton is ahead.