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Aryna Sabalenka is out of the Miami Open after losing in three sets to Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, just days after the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov.
The Belarusian world number two won on her return to the court after the tragedy, beating her friend Paula Badosa in straight sets on Friday. But Sabalenka was defeated 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 by 32nd seed Kalinina in the third round on Saturday.
Her ex-partner Koltsov died on Monday at the age of 42 in an “apparent suicide” after jumping from the balcony of a five-star hotel in Miami.
Koltsov, who shared three children with his ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, was initially believed to have joined his girlfriend in the city as she prepared for this month’s tournament.
On Wednesday, however, Sabalenka claimed their relationship had already come to an end and broke her silence about the “unthinkable tragedy” of his death.
Aryna Sabalenka was defeated in three sets by the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina at the Miami Open
The world number 2 was defeated 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 by the 32nd seed in the third round on Saturday.
Sabalenka returned to court days after the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov
Koltsov’s ex-wife, Julija Mikhailova, told media in Belarus that he was “most likely drunk” when he fell from the hotel balcony.
The Miami-Dade Police Department took over the investigation into the alleged suicide, but in an interview with media in her native Belarus, Mikhailova gave her opinion on what may have happened.
She has claimed that her ex-husband was “most likely drunk” before the fatal fall, and although she says bottles of alcohol were found in their hotel room, officers were unable to locate a suicide note. She also says that her recent behavior indicated, in her opinion, that she was not preparing to take her own life.
Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who fell from a balcony at 12:39 a.m. ET on Monday, according to investigators.
Koltsov (pictured) died on Monday at age 42 after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami.
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus in two Winter Olympics.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sabalenka claimed their relationship had already come to an end and broke her silence about the “unthinkable tragedy.”
Reports from his native Belarus initially claimed that Kolstov had died from a “dislodged blood clot.”
Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was confirmed dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on the social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you that Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement said.
Koltsov and Sabalenka were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
Miami police say former Belarusian professional hockey player died after falling at St Regis Bal Harbor Resort
It is unclear when Koltsov and Sabalenka, who were first linked in 2021, ended their relationship.
Koltsov is believed to have three children from his previous relationship with his ex-wife Yulia, named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.
The tragedy comes shortly after Sabalenka lost her father in similar circumstances.
The player’s late father, Sergey, who was also a professional ice hockey player, died suddenly in 2019 at the age of just 43.
Kolstov spent parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh between 2002 and 2006 after being selected by the Penguins with the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft.
For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org either www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the US.