Williams is determined to get back on track

Williams turned in an error-strewn performance in her 6-2 6-3 loss to Ekaterina Makarova to suffer her first defeat in Melbourne since 2008 when she lost to Jelena Jankovic in the quarter-finals.

The American, a 13-time grand slam winner, made 37 unforced errors compared to just 17 from the Russian and admitted afterwards she was determined to get her game back on track.

She said: “I am always thinking about things I can do better next time around. That’s usually how I respond.

“I’m already thinking about practising as soon as tomorrow. I can think of 100 things I can do.”

Williams has missed the best part of 18 months through injury – she had to sit out last year’s Australian Open – and her lack of match practice seemed to finally catch up with her in the blistering heat.

“I didn’t play well and I’m not physically 100 per cent,” added the 30-year-old, who was also battling an ankle injury.

Makarova now faces countrywoman Maria Sharapova, who outlasted Sabine Lisicki in three sets, 3-6 6-2 6-3.

The fourth seed led 3-0 in the first set but Lisicki hit back to win six games in a row before Sharapova struck back.

Ana Ivanovic’s bid to reach her first grand slam quarter-final in three-and-a-half years foundered at the hands of second seed Petra Kvitova, who will meet Sara Errani in the quarter-finals after the Italian thrashed Jie Zheng 6-2 6-1.