Intro:

Early reaction from day nine of the Australian Open as Ekaterina Makarova and Simona Halep reflect on their quarter-final on Tuesday (27th January).

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Ekaterina Makarova, Russian 10th seed:
(On her win).

"I just tried to stay solid and to play my game. She's a tough opponent, and I lost to her already two years ago. She doesn't miss a lot, so every point we had really tough one and really long one. I tried to be more aggressive more to win this point because she never miss and she never give up. So I tried to stay solid and to keep my game."

SOUNDBITE (English) Ekaterina Makarova, Russian 10th seed:

(On playing Maria Sharapova in the next round).

"Well, I never beat her, so it will be tough. Definitely she's a great fighter. Like here on the second round, she almost lost, but she turned around. I'm looking forward. I want to enjoy this time and want to rest and we'll see what happen in semis."

SOUNDBITE (English) Simona Halep, Romanian third seed:

(On whether the pressure of the occasion got to her today).

"Not really pressure. I cannot say pressure. Just I was a little bit stressed. I don't know why. I had experience from last year to play quarterfinals, so it doesn't mean that I felt pressure. Just I didn't feel the game, the ball. Was a very bad day for me."

SOUNDBITE (English) Simona Halep, Romanian third seed:

(On whether a quarter-final place was her goal)

"Last year was a big result for me here. Now I cannot say it's very big, but is enough for me. I started very well this year. I won one title, and now I did here a few good matches. I have confidence this year will be better than last year. I just try to improve more in my game."