World number two Aryna Sabalenka played in black at the Miami Open in her first appearance since her ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, committed suicide. And her opponent, Paula Badosa, a good friend of the Belarusian, played in the same equipment.
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, at the end of the match. Capture TV
Sabalenka met on Friday in the second round of the Miami Open the player who eliminated Simona Halep from the competition in the previous round, the Iberian Paula Badosa, number 80 in the WTA ranking. The match between the two took place just three days apart after Aryna Sabalenka's ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov committed suicide at the age of 42. He was also in Miami and, according to the information released in the public space by the American authorities, he would have thrown himself from the balcony of a hotel.
Aryna Sabalenka prevailed without too many emotions, after only one hour and 23 minutes. Dressed completely in black, Sabalenka needed two sets, 6-4, 6-3, to defeat the Iberian. The two players hugged at the end of the game, Paula Badosa waiting for the Belarusian at the net, after which she took her in her arms, holding her like that for a few seconds. Aryna found the strength to smile, and applauded the fans in the stands, who cheered her on.
