A smiling Aryna Sabalenka received a rapturous standing ovation on Friday after beating Paula Badosa days following the death of her ex-boyfriend.
The world No 2 swapped her vibrant pink outfits for all black to play her “best friend” in the second round of the Miami Open.
Despite being delayed six hours by relentless rain, the bleachers gradually filled up with fans who bellowed in support of the Belarusian.
The two-time Australian Open winner, who won 6-4, 6-3, appeared focused and in good spirits, at points laughing with her Spanish opponent across the net.
At the end of the match, the two friends had an emotional embrace before walking across the court together arm-in-arm.
The courageous performance took place just 12 miles from the five-star St Regis Bal Harbour Resort where Konstantin Koltsov is understood to have leapt to his death in an apparent suicide on Sunday night.