Aryna Sabalenka praised for her strength by Paula Badosa after world No 2 beats ‘best friend’ on emotional return following the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov in ‘apparent suicide’

Paula Badosa paid tribute to Aryna Sabalenka after the world No 2 made an emotional return to the court following the death of her ex-boyfriend – and then beat her ‘best friend’ in straight sets.

Sabalenka eased past Badosa 6-4 6-3 to reach the third round of the Miami Open only four days after Konstantin Koltsov died at the age of 42 in an ‘apparent suicide’ after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami.

The 25-year-old Belarusian was made to wait on Friday as heavy rain swept across South Florida, with the start of play delayed by more than six hours.

The Australian Open champion made quick work of Badosa – despite the tragedy – but the Spaniard was not shocked by Sabalenka’s performance.

‘No, I wasn’t surprised at all,’ she said. ‘She’s a very, very strong woman, strong personality, you can see it on the court.

Sabalenka eased past Badosa 6-4 6-3 to reach the third round of the Miami Open

‘I knew she was going to play very well and I told her I wish her the best and let’s see if she can go very deep in this tournament.’

Badosa added: ‘It wasn’t very comfortable to play my best friend in this situation… honestly both of us are pretty strong mentally, we’re strong women, I proved it, she proved it.’

Sabalenka was given a bye to the second round and will now face Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina in Miami.

‘She’s a very, very strong woman, strong personality, you can see it on the court,’ Badosa said

Sabalenka issued a brief statement on Wednesday, saying her heart was broken by the ‘unthinkable tragedy,’ but has otherwise remained out of the spotlight. The statement also revealed that they had split up before the tragedy.

The Miami-Dade police department confirmed on Tuesday that they had responded to a call the day before at a Miami resort about reports of a man jumping off a balcony. The police said no foul play was suspected.

Koltsov, 42, played for the Belarus national team at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics and spent parts of three seasons with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins between 2003 and 2006.

The news of Koltsov’s death sent a shockwave through the Miami Open as Sabalenka’s fellow players rallied around her, including her opponent Badosa.