World number two Aryna Sabalenka defied all odd which includes the death of his former partner to record an impressive victory over Paula Badosa at the Miami Open
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka, 25, played her second-round match four days after the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov.
Koltsov, an ex-ice hockey player, died in Miami aged 42 in what police described as an “apparent suicide”.
Sabalenka decided to play the event and won 6-4 6-3 against Spain’s Badosa.
The pair have described themselves as “best friends” on the WTA Tour, sharing a long and warm hug at the net after Belarusian Sabalenka secured victory to reach the last 32.
On Wednesday, Sabalenka said her “heart is broken” after Koltsov’s death and described it as “an unthinkable tragedy”.
Her second-round meeting with Badosa was one of the first matches to be completed on Friday after heavy rain disrupted the schedule.
US Open champion Coco Gauff was another player able to secure victory, making light work of Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska in a 6-1 6-2 win.
Miami Open: Aryna Sabalenka Wins First Game After Former Partner’s Death
