Cibulkova and Makarova have very different playing styles, almost contrasting, making it an exciting match-up. The Slovakian was leading the head-to-head 3-0, all matches on hard court, strengthening her claim as a favorite for the match. However, that all went out the window the moment the match started. Makarova was looking sharp out of the gate, got two break and jumped to a 4-1 lead. Cibulkova broke back to 2-4, and had the look in her eyes that tells you she will fight for this set. However, Makarova wasn’t too struck with Cibulkova’s rise in level, and kept playing her game. After getting another break, Makarova served the set out to love after just 37 minutes.
Makarova went up 4-0 after two breaks in the second set. It seemed all over, but that glimmer in Cibulkova’s eyes told you this wasn’t over yet. Cibulkova went on a “Pome!”-ful streak and won 5 games in a row. 6th seed was surprisingly solid on her serve, giving Makarova only one break point in her 3 service games. Cibulkova went up 5-4, and had 3 set points saved by Makarova, who still kept it together. After two clean games from both players, second set went to a tiebreak. Cibulkova was dominant and won the tiebreak 7-3. After an incredible hour and 15 minutes, this match went to a final set.
The Russian took the lead 2-0 as usual, but this time Cibulkova broke back almost immediately and it was 2-2. The remainder of the set was incredibly high level, it could have easily been a semifinal. At 3-3, Cibulkova had 3 break points to take the lead which would have probably given her the match. However, she confirmed the Slovak hockey-based proverb which translates to: “If you don’t score when you’ve got the chance, you will surely concede.” This happened as Cibulkova was serving at 3-4. Despite having the 40-30 lead, she lost the next 3 points and Makarova was serving for the match. Makarova didn’t succumb to the nerves, and after Cibulkova missed a forehand in the net at 40-30, she was the winner after nearly 3 hours of incredible women’s tennis. The Russian had an on-court interview as is the custom, where she was asked about the greatest moments of her career:
“It was our dream from kids and for me, to be honest, it was much more for me to win gold for Russia than to win a Grand Slam but we won the Grand Slam also in doubles,” Makarova said. “Now I really want to win the singes, of course.”
“It was an amazing match, an amazing fight,” Makarova said. “I got tight a little bit at 4-0 in the second set but this is my favourite Grand Slam and I really want to still play here.”
30th seed Makarova has reached quarterfinals in Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, both times losing to Sharapova. She is now just one match away from repeating her maximum, and in her way will stand 9th seed Johanna Konta. However, if the Russian will play like she did today, she definitely won’t be without a chance.
