French Open 2023: Aryna Sabalenka storms past Marta Kostyuk into second round, boos follow handshake snub

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Marta Kostyuk in the first round of the French Open, but she was again denied a handshake by her opponent at Roland-Garros. Kostyuk and Sabalenka had played previously and the Ukrainian had refused to shake hands with her Belarusian opponent, due to Belarus’ support of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Ad Kostyuk has not yet beaten a top-10 player in her career, and as result, Sabalenka arrived not just as one of the favourites at Roland-Garros — though she has yet to win the Grand Slam in Paris — but a heavy favourite to progress from the first round. Roland-GarrosFrench Open order of play, Day 1 — Sabalenka, Evans and Tsitsipas in first round actionA DAY AGO The 25-year-old world No.

2 has gone as far as the third before, but with an Australian Open win under her belt this year already, she is one of the biggest names in the draw. Twenty-year-old Kostyuk is ranked 39, and has also gone to the third round in Paris before, and in March this year won the ATX Open to show her talents.

The early exchanges saw the match go with service, until Sabalenka broke to go 2-2, only for her opponent to break straight back. Sabalenka broke once more as she reeled off a succession of games to clinch the first set 6-3.

After six back-to-back game wins Kostyuk stopped the rot to move to 2-1 behind in the second set, but Sabalenka kept up the pressure to close out the win 6-3 6-2. French Open Day 1 — LIVE Exclusive: Djokovic admits French OPen preparation not perfect, disappointed by Nadal absence Swiatek injury 'a worry' with Rybakina and 'tiger' Sabalenka ready to pounce — Wilander At the end of the match, her opponent refused to shake her hand, with jeers and boos heard from the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier.