World quantity two Aryna Sabalenka began her Miami Open marketing campaign after an emotional week with a powerful win over shut good friend Paula Badosa.
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka, 25, performed her second-round match 4 days after the death of former accomplice Konstantin Koltsov.
Koltsov, an ex-ice hockey participant, died in Miami aged 42 in what police described as an “obvious suicide”.
Belarusian Sabalenka gained 6-4 6-3 in opposition to Spain’s Badosa.
They have described themselves as “greatest buddies” on the WTA Tour, and shared a protracted and heat hug at the web after Sabalenka reached the final 32.
Wearing an all-black package and a cap pulled down low, Sabalenka appeared as much as the sky earlier than the pre-match coin toss.
On Wednesday she mentioned her “coronary heart is damaged” after Koltsov’s death and described it as “an unthinkable tragedy”.
Her assembly with Badosa was one of many first matches to be accomplished on Friday after heavy rain disrupted the schedule.
US Open champion Coco Gauff beat Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6-1 6-2.
