Tearful Ekaterina Makarova beats Dominika Cibulkova for first time

The 28-year-old, whose list of high-seeded victims at previous Australian Opens includes Ana Ivanovic (19th), Serena Williams (12th), Angelique Kerber (5th) and Simona Halep (3rd), will now face either Johanna Konta or Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round.

Makarova, who despite her giant-killing exploits has only reached one semi-final at Melbourne Park (2015), raced through the first set courtesy of three breaks and then into a 4-0 lead in the second.

Cibulkova, however, fought back to win the next five games to take a 5-4 lead then went on to force a deciding set, while her opponent broke down in tears following a fall at the beginning of the decider and was forced to take a medical time out for treatment on her right elbow while leading 3-2.

However, the Russian regained her composure and broke to take a 5-3 lead before serving out in the next game.