Belarusian world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka exited in a fit of rage from the Miami Open on Saturday, smashing her racquet and walking off the court without offering a handshake after a 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 loss to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
After two days of rain the sun returned in a good omen for Iga Swiatek, who launched her bid to become just the second woman to win the ‘Sunshine Double’ more than once with a breezy 6-1, 6-1 win over Italy’s Camila Giorgi.
Back on court for the second time in as many days following the apparent suicide of former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov, Sabalenka appeared to have little left in the tank physically, mentally and emotionally, after a long difficult week.
After her return wide gave Kalinina the match the Australian Open champion vented her frustration by smashing her racquet to pieces and exiting the court.
Winner of the “Sunshine Double” (wins at Indian Wells and Miami Open) in 2022, Swiatek can join Steffi Graf as the only other woman to pull off the feat more than once if she can lift the trophy in Miami after taking the first leg in the California desert last weekend.
The world No.1 opened her Miami account in ruthless style, romping to victory in just 69 minutes.
In the battle of players returning from maternity leave it was former world No.1 Naomi Osaka coming away with a 6-2, 7-6(5) win over 15th-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Among men, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz began his campaign with an emphatic 6-2, 6-1 victory over fellow Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baen.
Jannik Sinner advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over fellow Italian Andrea Vavassori.