A native of Kiev, Kostyuk considers the tennis authorities too accommodating to Russian and Belarusian players in the measures taken in response to the invasion of his country by Moscow's troops in February 2022.

She had already chosen not to greet another Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka, preferring to touch her opponent's racket with her own at the last US Open.

This time she decided not to greet Sabalenka at all, drawing boos from the audience at the time, and then walking off the court. The Belarusian then thought at first that she was the target of the public, making an ironic bow in front of the stands.

"Excuse me, I thought at first the bronca was for me," she said in the post-match interview on court. "I was a little surprised, but then I felt your support. So thank you very much, it's very important. It was a very tough match emotionally."

"It doesn't matter if she hates me," Sabalenka, world No. 2 who was asked about it, said before the game. "Regarding the lack of a handshake, I can understand that," she added.

Among the favorites of the tournament, Sabalenka dominated this meeting that went beyond the stakes of tennis.

First jostled by the 20-year-old Ukrainian, the Belarusian, winner of the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, broke free after being broken (3-2), winning the next three games to close the first set.

More offensive than her opponent, the 25-year-old took the lead in this match thanks to the power that characterizes her.

Cornered when she served, Kostyuk, ranked 39th in the world, conceded two breaks in the second set while Sabalenka was solid, erasing two break balls to finally close the second set 6-2, and the match in 1:11.

The Belarusian has never yet passed the third round of Roland Garros in five appearances in the main draw.

© 2023 AFP