Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (world No.2) dominated Spaniard Paula Badosa for her entry into the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami (Florida, United States) on Friday, after the death of her ex-companion earlier this week.
After six hours of waiting due to rain, Sabalenka (25), winner of the Australian Open in January, was just like her opponent and friend Paula Badosa.
Sabalenka declared on Wednesday that she was "heartbroken" by the death on Monday of her ex-companion, the former Belarusian ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov (42), "probably by suicide", according to the police.
She asked the Miami tournament not to be subject to the usual media obligations during the competition.
After a cautious start, the world No.2 broke at 4-3 in the first set to never slow down again, and won 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour and 22 minutes.
The two players hugged each other over the net at the end of the match.
“She is a very strong woman, a very strong personality.
It shows on the court... I know her off the court and that doesn't surprise me,” said Badosa, about the way Sabalenka was able to concentrate on tennis.
“I knew she would play very well, or at least as well as usual.
I told her I wish her the best, we'll see if she can go far in the tournament.
» The American Coco Gauff (3rd in the world), for her entry into the 2nd round like all the top seeds, had no trouble getting rid of the Argentine Nadia Podoroska (6-1, 6-2 ).