MIAMI – A traumatic week for world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka came to an end with a last-32, three-set loss in the Miami Open to Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina on March 23.

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 matches at Hard Rock Stadium, to smash her racket violently into the court.

The result and outburst are hardly a surprise, coming at the end of a pressure-packed week for the Australian Open champion.

On March 18, Belarusian Sabalenka’s former boyfriend, former National Hockey League player Konstantin Koltsov, died at a Miami resort 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.

Sabalenka issued a brief statement on March 20 saying her “heart was broken” by the “unthinkable tragedy” but has otherwise remained out of the spotlight.

After a gutsy second-round win on March 22 over good friend Paula Badosa, the world No. 2 appeared to have little left in the tank physically, mentally or emotionally for her battle with Kalinina.

After losing the opening set, she dominated Kalinina in the second, with her serve and powerful backhand too much for the Ukrainian. But once Kalinina broke in the third, Sabalenka’s focus and composure deserted her and her opponent took full advantage.

When her return wide gave Kalinina the match, the 25-year-old bowed her head, took a few steps then flew into a rage, venting her frustration by smashing her racket to pieces at centre court.

With racket destroyed, she then turned and walked off court without shaking Kalinina’s hand.

“It’s always tough to play on big stages against these top players. Today was really tough with nerves, but I managed in the tough moments to deal with it. So I’m a little bit proud of myself today,” said Kalinina.

“I missed a lot of opportunities, she started to play more aggressive in the second set... she stepped in and did some incredible, like, very fast rallies. But third set, yes, I was also more aggressive. That was my goal.”

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek had no trouble in beating Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-1, 6-1 as the rain-impacted tournament packed in the big names, including postponed matches from March 22.

“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, who will next face world No. 31 Czech Linda Noskova.

Japan’s Naomi 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 as 21-year-old Russian Elina Avanesyan, ranked 65th in the world, ran out a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 winner.

Elena Rybakina moved into the last 16 after a tight tussle with Taylor Townsend. The American, ranked 11th, won a tiebreak to set up a deciding set before she succumbed, with the Kazakh winning 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4.

Over in the men’s draw, top seed Carlos Alcaraz was simply too much for his compatriot Roberto Baena as he powered to a 6-2, 6-1 win in 85 minutes. Like Swiatek, the Spaniard 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.

Alcaraz will next face French veteran Gael Monfils, a 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-2 winner over Australian Jordan Thompson.

Greek 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas headed for the exit door after he was upset by 126th-ranked Denis Shapovalov of Canada but Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, the defending champion, advanced to the round of 32. AFP, REUTERS