Sabalenka advances to AO second week, trashing Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0

Victor Petkov

Head of Content

Last Updated: Jan 19 | 5:48 AM

3 min read

Sabalenka advances to AO second week, trashing Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0

Add comment

Both players didn't shake hands before or after the game because of the war in Ukraine

In the third round at the Australian Open on Friday, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus put aside the political backdrop surrounding her match against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, securing a straightforward entry into the tournament’s second week with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory.

This encounter was originally slated to occur at Indian Wells last year, but Tsurenko withdrew due to a panic attack while discussing tennis’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Belarus served as a staging ground for the invasion. Despite being the reigning champion and the second seed, Sabalenka is participating at Melbourne Park without an official national affiliation, adhering to conditions imposed on Russian and Belarusian players by tournament organizers post the invasion.

The match unfolded in a subdued atmosphere on Rod Laver Arena, with Sabalenka efficiently handing the 28th seed Tsurenko a comprehensive “double bagel” victory in just 52 minutes. At the conclusion of the match, there was no customary handshake over the net, with both players opting for a simple wave before leaving the court.

Sabalenka, acknowledging the ongoing complexities, remarked, “This situation has been happening for a long time on tour, and I understand and respect everyone’s position.” Despite the absence of a handshake, she noted Tsurenko’s respectful acknowledgment, stating, “She was quite respectful. She said, ‘great play.’ She didn’t shake my hand, but she was respectful to me, so I appreciate that.”