Aryna Sabalenka’s Miami Open clash with Paula Badosa delayed twice due to rain as world No 2 is kept waiting ahead of return to the court… just days after ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov’s shock death

Aryna Sabalenka had to wait before her return to the Miami Open after rain forced two delays in her draw against best friend Paula Badosa.

Sabalenka, 25, is expected to open her tournament account just four days after her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov, 42, died in an “apparent suicide” after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami.

Police confirmed Koltsov’s death on Tuesday, before his girlfriend of three years was seen practicing on the court hours later. It was later confirmed that she still planned to compete in the Miami Open.

Sabalenka, who revealed on Wednesday that her relationship with the professional hockey player was already over, will face Badosa, one of her good friends, in the round of 16 on Friday.

Their match was originally scheduled to start at 11 a.m. local time, but torrential rain in Miami delayed it by an hour. And with this downpour showing no signs of abating, tournament officials have pushed it back an extra hour, to 1 p.m. ET.

Sabalenka was seen taking part in training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, blocking out the heartbreak in the days following Koltsov’s apparent suicide to prepare for Friday’s opener.

Miami-Dade police have taken control of the investigation into Koltsov’s death. However, his ex-wife Mikhailova has given her views on what could have happened to him – saying he “most likely was drunk” before his fall and that bottles of alcohol were found in his room on the 23rd floor from the St. Regis Hotel. Bal Harbor resort.

‘Most likely he was very drunk,” she said. Zerkalo about the former NHL star, who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics. “Unfortunately, hockey players are sometimes guilty of this.

“Empty alcohol bottles were found in the room where Konstantin was staying. There was a balcony overlooking the ocean. Konstantin probably did not follow his actions.

‘WWe still have the old family computer with Konstantin’s email. I knew the passwords and was able to open some emails. Konstantin had also booked apartments in a different location. Purchases that have not yet arrived have been paid for. He rented a car for a long time.

“In other words, he had no intention of dying. Of course, anything can come to a head, but there have been no signs of tragedy.

Police have ruled out murder and estimate the investigation will be completed within a month, according to Mikhailova.

It is unclear when Sabalenka and Koltsov’s relationship ended, but several sources have indicated The telegraph that the couple had separated.

The two were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.

“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message including a heart and other emojis.

‘Happy Birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my greatest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.

“I hope we get everything we planned, I love you.”

The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after she lost his father Sergey following his sudden death at 43.

Like Koltsov, his father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete often spoke of the motivation his father’s death inspired in his tennis game.

For help, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org Or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the United States.