(VIDEO) Lack of handshake continues between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina after Rome Open thriller

Aryna Sabalenka took out Elina Svitolina in the Last 16 of the 2024 Rome Open with the Belarusian producing a marathon win 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 to seal a comeback effort win that left the former ecstatic and the latter truly crestfallen. However they continued the lack of handshake.

The late-night thriller itself lasted two hours and 22 minutes and finished past midnight in the Italian capital. But with current political turmoil in Ukraine and Russia and the war, they did not share a handshake. The duo looked at each other and put their racquet up in this case of acknowledgement. But they soon retreated to their benches to leave the court.

Albeit this is the second time this has happened and more of a generous version with Sabalenka last time waiting at the net for a handshake that she knew wasn't going to come given Svitolina's previous matches where she refrained from doing so. But still an expected juncture in this contest. Sabalenka now moves on to face Jelena Ostapenko in a section of the draw of players who certainly don't shy from showing their emotions with Victoria Azarenka also set to face Danielle Collins.

The top half of the draw will take place on Tuesday with Iga Swiatek to face Madison Keys, Coco Gauff will take on Qinwen Zheng.