(VIDEO) No handshake between Azarenka-Kostyuk amid frosty tie at US Open

The luck of the draw threw Victoria Azarenka and Marta Kostyuk together at the US Open in the second round amid tension between the pair stretching back some time.

Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kostyuk has been a vocal critic of Azarenka especially as of late asking why she was included in the Tennis Plays for Peace exhibition aiming to help raise money for Ukraine. She said at the time:

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"I did not understand the reason why they called Victoria Azarenka. There was no open help from her in our direction. She did not communicate with me, but I know that she communicated with Serhiy Stakhovsky, with Gael Monfils in Madrid. There was no dialogue with me personally, although it cannot be said that I was invisible. Maybe I'm not that visible because I'm not ranked high enough to be talked to, but that's not what I'm talking about, I'm talking about the fact that I've been active enough since the beginning of the war," said Kostyuk.

These comments led to the former World No.1 not being involved in the event but their paths crossed on court today with Azarenka easing through 6-2. 6-3 letting out an audible scream after winning.

Nothing was said on court but actions speak louder than words and there was no love lost between the pair as there was an icy racquet tap instead of a handshake at the net with no eye contact between the pair.

Watch the video below.

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For the armed forces of Ukraine 🇺🇦 Kostyuk-Azarenka handshake aka cold racquet tap

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