Aryna Sabalenka won the first game after her ex-boyfriend's death. © APA / AL BELLO

After death drama: Sabalenka wins her first Miami match

Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka won her first match at the Masters tournament in Miami after the death of her former boyfriend Konstantin Kolzov.

March 23, 2024

From: dpa/sn

The Australian Open winner from Belarus beat her Spanish friend Paula Badosa 6:4, 6:3 in the second round on Friday (local time in Miami). Sabalenka, who had a bye for the first round, will now face Anhelina Kalinina from Ukraine.

Before the tournament started, she reacted with great sadness to the death of the former ice hockey professional. "Konstantin's death is an unimaginable tragedy, and although we were no longer together, my heart is broken," the Belarusian said in a statement. The 25-year-old also asked that her privacy and that of her family be respected “during this difficult time.” Kolzov, a former NHL player, died on Monday at the age of 42, the American news agency AP reported, citing Miami police.

Sabalenka (r.) and Badosa are friends off the pitch. © ANSA / CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

The game between Sabalenka and Badosa was just one of eight matches that could take place on Friday. The reason for this was heavy rain. The third-seeded American Coco Gauff didn't seem to mind. The 20-year-old beat Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 1:16, 6:1 in just 6:2 hours and will now face Oceane Dodin from France in the third round.