Ekaterina Makarova, pictured, makes a backhand return during her victory over Simona Halep

Maria Sharapova has revealed how avoiding another ticking-off from her father was behind her impressive run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Since saving two match points against Alexandra Panova in the second round, Sharapova has lost just 10 games in reaching the last four, where she will face fellow Russian Eka terina Makarova after the pair enjoyed surprisingly one-sided quarter-final victories on Tuesday.

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