Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa – Miami Open: Live score and game-by-game updates as World No 2 takes the court for the first time since the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov

Be extra ice skating than tennis out on that court docket it seems that slippy because the rain continues to hammer down in Miami. Might be nonetheless a way off although.

We have now been getting updates on the half previous the hour so we may very well be getting one other replace in simply over ten minutes time.

Rain delays should be such a ache for tennis stars particularly when it is unsure whether or not their matches will go forward on the day or not.

However they’re unimaginable professionals and Sky Sports activities Tennis has proven Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Murray and Grigor Dimitrov getting their exercises and stretches in regardless simply in case they do end up onto the court docket as we speak.

Whereas we’re delayed in Miami, an fascinating sidebit from yesterday as Victoria Azarenka’s ex-boyfriend – a muscian named Redfoo (previously of LMFAO when you bear in mind them) was in attendance to cheer on her opponent Peyton Stearns.

Redfoo made no secret of who he was supporting and it wasn’t his associate of late 2012 to early 2014.

Azarenka obtained the final snort as she claimed the victory in three units.

The motion has been pushed again one other hour and can begin no sooner than 1pm in Miami – 5pm GMT.

Former World No 1 Jimmy Connors has hit out at individuals who have questioned Sabalenka’s determination to hold on on the Miami Open after the demise of her former boyfriend.

With all due respect, there are some issues that folks ought to hold their feedback to themselves on. Except you’re actually in her sneakers, and you understand what she’s going by way of and what her ideas are, it’s higher to remain away,” he stated on the Benefit Connors podcast.

Regardless that that’s devastating, how she takes it, solely she is aware of. She can be criticized if she pulled out or she’s gonna be criticized if she continues to play, as a result of that’s simply the way in which persons are

Again within the day, after I was enjoying, tennis was escape for me. (I used to be) going by way of quite a lot of issues and loads occurring, (so) to exit, it offers you a psychological break; it takes your thoughts away from quite a lot of issues which might be occurring away from the court docket.

It’s her alternative and it’s how she tries to cope with it on her personal. And my ideas exit to her as a result of I do know tennis is a troublesome sufficient recreation to exit and play towards your opponent; to work; to coach; and to attempt to be pretty much as good as she is, not to mention with one thing outdoors the court docket that’s as devastating as this to have in your thoughts.’

Andy Murray can be in motion as we speak as he goes up towards Tomas Etcheverry after seeing off Matteo Berretini within the final spherical.

He has had loads of pleasure in Miami since making his debut 18 years in the past, successful in 2009 and 2013, and is dreaming of yet another shot at glory on his swansong look.

The previous world primary pulled off a powerful comeback victory to succeed in the second spherical of the Miami Open earlier than writing on the courtside digital camera to declare a message to the watching followers.

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Sky Sports activities Tennis report that there’s heavy rain anticipated for the following three or 4 hours with thunderstorms anticipated later this night.

Only a reminder that there is no such thing as a roof on any of the courts used for the Miami Open which is why there is no such thing as a motion at this second in time.

Coco Gauff was alleged to be in motion right here on the similar as Sabalenka’s match towards Badosa however it’s trying very empty in the meanwhile.

This picture from Sky Sports activities Tennis isn’t what you consider while you consider Miami!

A number of the game’s largest names are in motion as we speak however there may very well be quite a lot of thumb-twiddling relying on how situations enhance in Miami as we speak.

Additionally in early matches as we speak are scheduled to be Coco Gauff towards Nadia Podoroska and Andrey Rublev towards Tomas Machac.

Different huge names on the schedule embody Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Andy Murray.

Here’s what is because of occur on the Stadium, Grandstand and Butch Buchholz’s courts as we speak.

• [3] Coco Gauff (USA) v [Q] Nadia Podoroska (ARG)
• [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA) v [Q] Andrea Vavassori (ITA)
• [12] Taylor Fritz (USA) v [Q] Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA)
• [1] Iga Swiatek (POL) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
• [3] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) v Marton Fucsovics (HUN)

• [2] Aryna Sabalenka (RUS) v [PR] Paula Badosa (ESP)
• [10] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) v [PR] Denis Shapovalov (CAN)
• [5] Jessica Pegula (USA) v Zhu Lin (CHN)
• [15] Elina Svitolina (UKR) v [PR] Naomi Osaka (JPN)
• [21] Frances Tiafoe (USA) v Christopher O’Connell (AUS)

• [5] Andrey Rublev (RUS) v Tomas Machac (CZE)
• [29] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) v Andy Murray (GBR)
• [7] Casper Ruud (NOR) v Luca Van Assche (FRA)
• [19] Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Sloane Stephens (USA)
• [6] Ons Jabeur (TUN) v [Q] Elina Avanesyan (RUS)

Lovely climate is among the first belongings you consider in the case of Miami however when it rains then it could actually actually come down.

Disgrace for individuals who are in attendance who obtained there early to catch the beginning of motion however hopefully their wait is not too lengthy!

The Miami Open has confirmed that there will likely be no motion till 12pm native time – 4pm GMT.

It was the second tragedy within the house of 5 years for the World No 2.

Koltsov performed for nationwide staff within the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics and likewise performed for the Pittsburgh Penguins within the NHL.

Tuesday’s stunning information bears haunting similarities to a earlier tragedy in Sabalenka’s life.

Her father, Sergey, was additionally a former skilled hockey star and died aged 43 in 2019.

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Properly Miami-Dade and Broward counties are beneath a flood watch and wind advisory by way of Saturday night, as per CBS Information.

The Nationwide Climate Service’s storm prediction centre has positioned South Florida beneath a Stage 1 (low) danger of heavy rain, flooding, hail and remoted tornadoes.

South Florida may see three to 5 inches of rain.

It is a star-studded day so let’s hope the rain stays away!

The Australian Open champion is seeking to proceed her profitable 12 months on-court as she kickstarts her Miami Open marketing campaign.

Final 12 months she solely made the quarter-finals the place she suffered a shock defeat to Sorana Cirstea.

That’s her greatest effort on the competitors thus far, and the identical could be stated for Badosa who reached the quarter-finals again in 2022.

What Sabalenka may respect in her return to the court docket as we speak is the truth that the particular person gazing her from the opposite aspect of the web will likely be her greatest buddy Paula Badosa.

Badosa has admitted that she has been in fixed contact with the Belarusian because the demise of Sabalenka’s former associate.

The Spaniard has admitted it is going to be ‘uncomfortable’ to play her greatest buddy after such a tragedy.

Although the pair have confronted one another 4 occasions on tour to this point, their time collectively transcends off the court docket.

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Given what occurred you wouldn’t blame Aryna Sabalenka if she wished to tug out of the Miami Open.

However she determined to proceed her preparations for the Miami Open and has been pictured in coaching this week.

Forward of her Spherical of 64 match towards her greatest buddy, Spain’s Paula Badosa, on Friday, Sabalenka took to court docket to work on her forehand and serve Wednesday afternoon.

Regardless of grieving, the Belarusian tennis star channeled her focus into her coaching along with her coaches.

At one level, Sabalenka, who appeared be grimacing at occasions, wiped her face with an orange towel as she took a break on a court-side bench.

Police confirmed on Tuesday that Koltsov, who had been courting Sabalenka for 3 years, died on the age of 42 on Monday in an ‘apparant suicide’.

Sabalenka, breaking her silence on social media, stated they had been ‘not collectively’ on the time of his demise however that ‘her coronary heart is damaged’.

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Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport’s reside protection of Aryna Sabalenka’s Miami Open match towards Paula Badosa.

It is going to be an emotional day for the World No 2, who performs her first match because the demise of her former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov.

We will likely be bringing you all of the build-up and newest earlier than play will get going at 3pm.