MIAMI, March 24, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A traumatic week for world number two
Aryna Sabalenka came to an end with a third round, three set loss in the
Miami Open to Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina on Saturday.

The 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 win for the 36th ranked Kalinina prompted Sabalenka, who
had kept her emotions in check through both of her games at Hard Rock
Stadium, to smash her racket violently three times into the court and she
walked off without a handshake with her opponent.

On Monday, Belarusian Sabalenka's former boyfriend, ex-NHL player Konstantin
Koltsov, died in Miami after what police called an "apparent suicide".

The pair had been in a relationship until recently and Sabalenka only
announced they were no longer together following the death.

On Friday, she looked in control as she defeated her close friend Paula
Badosa of Spain in straight sets on the grandstand court.

But given the late slot on the main stadium court, Sabalenka looked to be
feeling the strain somewhat more as she struggled for any kind of
consistency.

After losing the opening set, she came out fighting and utterly dominated
Kalinina in the second, with her serve strong and her powerful backhand
strokes too much for the Ukrainian.

But once Kalinina, who took a long break between sets to change shirts, broke
in the third, Sabalenka's focus and composure deserted her and her opponent
took full advantage.

"It's really tough with nerves. But I managed in the tough moments to deal
with it," said Kalinina. "So I'm a little bit proud of myself today."

World number one Iga Swiatek had no trouble in beating Italy's Camila Giorgi
6-2, 6-1 as the rain impacted tournament packed in the big names including
postponed matches from Friday.

"I was feeling really pretty confident and I just wanted to see how I'm going
to feel the surface. It was all really comfortable, so I'm happy," said
Swiatek.

Japan's Noami Osaka continued her increasingly impressive form with a 6-2, 7-
6 (7/5) win over 17th ranked Elina Svitolina, in a battle of two women who
have returned to the tour after giving birth.

Sixth-seed Ons Jabeur suffered an upset with 21-year-old Russian Elina
Avanesyan, ranked 65th in the world, running out a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 winner.

Elena Rybakina moved into the fourth round after a tight tussle with American
Taylor Townsend.

Townsend, ranked 11th, won a second set tie-break to set up a fiercely
contested deciding set before she succumbed with the Kazakh winning 6-3, 6-7
(3/7), 6-4.

In the ATP event, top seed Carlos Alcaraz was simply too much for his
compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena as he powered to a 6-2, 6-1 win in 85
minutes.

- Sunshine Double -

Like Swiatek, Alcaraz is looking to complete the "Sunshine Double" after his
victory in Indian Wells last week and the two-time Grand Slam winner looked
in formidable form.

The 20-year-old was on top from the start, powerful from the baseline but
willing to approach the net as he hit 10 winners to one in the opening set.

He saved all three break points that he faced against his 64th ranked
opponent, who asked some tough questions at times but usually received an
emphatic response.

Alcaraz will next face the winner of the contest between France's Gael
Monfils and Australian Jordan Thompson.

Italy's Jannik Sinner, the Australian Open champion ranked third in the
world, made a confident start to his bid in Miami with a 6-3, 6-4 victory
over compatriot and qualifier Andrea Vavassori.

Progress was also straightforward for defending champion Daniil Medvedev who
advanced into the third round with a 6-4 6-2 win over Hungarian Marton
Fucsovics.

But it was a tough day for the American men.

Taylor Fritz was upset by Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight
sets as three of the four top ranked US men tumbled out of the tournament.

Fritz's early departure came shortly after Francis Tiafoe went out to another
lower-ranked player in Australian Christopher O'Connell.

O'Connell, battled to a 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) win over the 21st-seeded Tiafoe after
play began following a three-hour rain delay.

Tommy Paul had to retire with an ankle injury in his match against fellow
American, wild card Martin Damm. Paul had won the first set 6-4 and was 2-1
down in the second when he abandoned.

Greek 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas also headed for the exit door at the Hard
Rock Stadium after he was upset by 126th ranked Denis Shapovalov of Canada.

Britain's Andy Murray, a two-time winner in Miami, advanced to the third
round with a 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry.