22 mrt 2024 om 23:54 Update: 7 uur geleden
Aryna Sabalenka has won the Miami Open four days after the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov (42). After a difficult week, the number two in the world was too strong for Paula Badosa in two sets: 4-6 and 3-6.
Sabalenka decided to participate in the Masters tournament in Miami despite the loss of her ex-partner and played for the first time on Friday. The Belarusian tennis star was dressed in black, just like her opponent and good friend Badosa.
After a six-minute rain break, the first set was an equal match between Sabalenka and Badosa, who won in the first round against the returning Simona Halep. Only when the score was 3-3 did Sabalenka take distance from the Spanish number eighty in the world with the help of a break.
In the second set Sabalenka managed to take the lead more quickly. With the score at 1-1, she took her first break opportunity and did not relinquish that lead. After 1 hour and 24 minutes the second match point was scored, after which Badosa and Sabalenka left the court hugging after an emotional match.
The two-time Australian Open winner will face the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina in the third round, who defeated Caroline Wozniacki on Thursday. Sabalenka does not have to speak to the media this tournament.
