World #2 Aryna Sabalenka starts her Miami campaign with a good 6-4, 6-3 over former #2 Paula Badosa, her best friend on tour. Incredible, specially given the circumstances. Lovely moment at the net.
Aryna SABALENKA overcomes personal tragedy to secure victory against Paula BADOSA at Miami Open
WTAFriday, 22 March 2024 at 23:45
Aryna Sabalenka made her debut at the Miami Open and defeated her friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-3. It was a special match for the World No. 2, who decided to participate in the tournament despite the recent and tragic passing of her boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, just three days earlier.
Badosa, on the other hand, came into the match after winning her first-round match against the former World No. 1 Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
As usual, Sabalenka was almost untouchable on her serve, with a 71% first serve percentage and winning 85% of those points. Badosa didn't have many opportunities on her return and didn't even have a single break point in her favor. On the contrary, while the Spanish player also had some good service games, she couldn't maintain it throughout the set, and in the seventh game, Sabalenka secured the crucial break. That sole advantage was enough for the Belarusian to hold her serve and take the set 6-4.
In the second set, Sabalenka continued her dominance on serve and quickly secured a break in the third game to take the lead. Sabalenka won 74% of the points on her serve and only had to save one break point against her.
Although Badosa was a bit sharper with her first serve, she also made several unforced errors that cost her dearly when trying to extend the rallies on Sabalenka's serve.
With the score at 4-3, Badosa had her only opportunity to break back and level the set, but she couldn't capitalize on it. Minutes later, the Spanish player gave her opponent three match points, and the former World No. 1 converted the second one to seal the victory 6-4, 6-3 in an exciting match that ended with a hug between the two friends at the net.
In the third round, Sabalenka will face the 32nd seed Anhelina Kalinina, who defeated the former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in a match that lasted over three hours.
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