Australian Open 2012 live stream

Distance is everything in tennis.

Whether a ball is in or out, short or long, wide or on the line. It's the difference between winning and losing. And for Maria Sharapova, a player who has always kept her distance, she now finds herself within reach of a fourth Grand Slam title

Thanks to a comprehensive 6-2 6-3 win over countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova, Sharapova is now just two games from winning her second Australian Open title and reclaiming the No.1 spot, a position she hasn't been in since June 2008.

Feeling fresh after the off-season and with her ankle problems seemingly behind her, Sharapova says she's as motivated as ever.

"I've said this, just before the tournament, a few weeks before, I woke up and I was jut so happy to be going back on the court. I felt so fresh, full of energy, just with a really good perspective.

"I see myself playing this sport for many more years because it's something that gives me the most pleasure in my life. I think it helps when you know you're good at something, and you can always improve it. It obviously helps with the encouragement."

Today's victory was tennis's equivalent of a warning shot, especially for Petra Kvitova who Sharapova will play in the semifinals on Thursday.

For world No.56 Makarova, it was a disappointing come down following her upset win over five-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams in the fourth round.

"I think I played my [best] tennis against Serena. Maybe Serena wasn't that good on that day," said a disappointed Makarova.

"But today, yeah, sometimes of course I missed some balls. But Maria was great today … so aggressive. Maybe I couldn't show my best tennis because she all the time pushing me."

Sharapova's serve, which has not been the ace up her sleeve that it was pre-shoulder surgery in 2008, was as good as it's been all tournament. But it was the 24-year-old's return of serve that gave her an undeniable edge over her opponent.

She broke the Makarova serve, a slightly inferior product based on today's showing that she needs to improve on if she's to break into the top 20, four times, compared with Makarova's single break.

"It was solid today. You know, I thought she was going to play really well today coming off a big win, probably her biggest in her career. It was just really important for me to not give her much of a look at the open court," said Sharapova after the win.

"I just really wanted to take advantage of my game and improve from the previous match. I think I stepped up when I had to."

To be fair to Makarova, the 87-minute match was closer than the 6-2 6-3 scoreline suggests. Several games went to deuce, largely thanks to Makarova's persistence and retrieval skills.

The 23-year-old Russian chased down several balls that seemed destined to be winners, forcing Sharapova into error as she would have to hit closer to the lines to close out points.

But it was Makarova's ability to launch counter-attacks that was impressive. Her ranking will rise off the back of her efforts here – she made it to the fourth round at Australian Open 2011 – and will continue to improve throughout the year. She has been as high as No.29 (June 2011) and is certainly much better than her current ranking of No.56 indicates.

The lowest ranked player to make it to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open this year, Makarova is confident that there are more good times ahead.

"I wish to be in top 20. I will try to work hard. I really want to be there.

While for Sharapova, ever the professional, all thoughts of trophies and the No.1 ranking are a million miles away, lest they distract her from her main focus – self improvement.

"I try to improve in order to win Grand Slams. That's my goal. The more Grand Slams you win, the better your ranking is going to be."

And if she can find a way past the current world No.2, the distance between herself and her fourth Grand Slam title won't be far at all.