Aryna Sabalenka easily defeated Marta Kostyuk at the French Open in the first round 6-3 6-2. Aryna was expecting Marta not to shake her hands because of the involvement of Belarus in the Ukraine invasion. Soon after the match, the crowd booed Marta. Aryna thought that she was the one to be aimed at by the crowd and she sarcastically took a bow. Then she understood that it was Marta who was booed and she apologized.
Aryna Sabalenka taking a bow.
Marta Kostyuk is being booed after the match for not shaking hands.
There’s a lot happening at Roland Garros right now. pic.twitter.com/TWHdQhB4Ue
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 28, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka in 2023
Now the world no.2 (career-high), before facing Kostyuk, Sabalenka played her last match on the 11th of May when she capitulated to world no.120 Sofia Kenin 7-6(4) 6-2 in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).
This season Sabalenka has a compiled 30-5 match record. The Belarussian has won 3 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open and Madrid. The Belarussian reached the final in Indian Wells and Stuttgart.
Marta Kostyuk in 2023
At the moment ranked no.39, before playing Sabalenka, Kostyuk played her last match on the 14th of May when she surrendered to world no.29 Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2 in the 3rd round in Rome (draw).
This season Marta has achieved a composed 18-12 match record. The Ukrainian clinched 1 title in Austin.
Aryna Sabalenka and Marta Kostyuk played each other just once. Their record is 1-0 for Sabalenka. When they played, Aryna Sabalenka won 6-4 6-1 in the 1st round in Dubai (Dubai Duty Free Championships) in February 2022.
