Ekaterina Makarova using confidence to boost Australian Open bid

Ekaterina Makarova has claimed that her confidence has hit peak levels during this Australian Open campaign.

A straight-sets win over Julia Goerges saw the Russian book her place in the last eight in Melbourne for the third time, and she is optimistic of matching her best Grand Slam performance - a semi-final appearance at last year's US Open - ahead of a quarter-final clash with Simona Halep.

"I was already feeling more and more confident during the US Open," Makarova told reporters. "I'm feeling like I did then. It's quite the same feeling.

"Well, we played once in New Haven I think, not last year, but the year before.

"I lost 6-1, 7-6 in that match, something like that. She's one of the greatest players right now, and I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can keep moving forward step by step."

Makarova's quarter-final appearance will be her sixth in the last 13 Grand Slams.