Great rally, but it's Katie Boulter who brings it to a close by firing off target.

Ekaterina Makarova is digging her heels in.

But now the Russian goes long. Back to deuce.

Can't take it...

High and long, and never troubling Makarova.

Katie Boulter is sizzling, meeting a forehand with venom and zipping it down the line.

Boulter then sticks the Russian out wide and Makarova's not engineering that on target.

40-30.

Break point Boulter.

Yelp of delight from the Brit as Ekaterina Makarova skips a ground stroke deep and wide, and she's rolling through this service game now, Katie Boulter.

A rapid hold.

Katie Boulter goes long, but hits straight back with a tidy first serve.

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Makarova did a good job in that last game, she came up with two first serves when she needed it. She stepped up on the serve and it will be interesting to see how Boulter reacts now.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Makarova is keen to push Boulter on to her backhand, Boulter keen to wind up her forehand and is often running around to use it.

When it lands it's good, but has also been a little erratic. Risk and reward, eh?

An unconvincing rendition of 'There's only one Katie Boulter' tries to rally the Brit before her match-saving service game.

Punchy from Makarova, catching the baseline and leaving Katie Boulter crumpled in a knee-clasping heap.

Boulter will have to serve to stay in the match.

This is a real tussle.

Katie Boulter is certainly playing her part against a stubborn opponent.

A wonderful forehand winner that leaves Ekaterina Makarova rooted to the spot brings up deuce.

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Boulter hits that forehand down the line so well, she is able to change the whole dynamic of a point with that.

Humdinger of a forehand from Katie Boulter to save the break again, following up with another fist-pump worthy stroke from that side.

Thumping ace from the Brit, great hold.

Image source, Getty Images

Boulter drifts in to tackle a forehand from mid-court, but catches the tape! It falls kindly for the Brit, and then Makarova rattles the net and watches the ball drop agonisingly on her own side.

Deuce, briefly... Makarova cranking through the gears now and eeking out another break point chance.

Katie Boulter lets the ball drop out of the Melbourne sky, watching it all the way before tackling a smash on the bounce with power and precision.

Ekaterina Makarova hits back with a punchy return off the Brit's next serve. Deuce.

And now Boulter's in trouble. Break point for the Russian.

Lovely little running forehand from Katie Boulter as she coaxes a low winner beyond Ekaterina Makarova, only to punch the next one too deep to make it 30-30.

Jiten Chandarana: Watching from Leicester following a fellow midlander, very impressed with Katie Boulter’s level against an experienced opponent. Hope she can continue to improve and most importantly stay healthy.

And Ekaterina Makarova takes a huge hold of serve.

Katie Boulter will be seething.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

This game is exhausting to watch in the 35C heat - never mind play in. Knocking on for 16 minutes by my dodgy watch.

Hands on knees moment for Katie Boulter, another break point slips away as she fires long.

No challenge this time.

Shes goes long!

Katie Boulter is challenging that call, and it's in! Great shout from the 22-year-old.

Point to be replayed, pressure on Makarova.

Ekaterina Makarova cannot close this game out - that's a sixth deuce as she drags a baseline stroke int the tramlines.

Make that a seventh deuce after a Boulter forehand bomb.

And now the Russian goes long. Fourth break point for Boulter...