No handshake after bankruptcy: Switolina leaves Belarusian on the net

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Both surprises are missing in the duel between Elina Switolina (28, WTA 192) and Arina Sabalenka (25, WTA 2). The favorite Belarusian Sabalenka wins the quarterfinals at the French Open in straight sets (6: 4, 6: 4). And the Ukrainian Svitolina, as expected, refuses to give her opponent, who is waiting at the net, the usual handshake after the game. Just like she did before in her victories against two Russian women. The reason for this is the Russian offensive war in Ukraine.

Sabalenka experienced the same after winning the first round match against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (20, WTA 39). At the time, part of the Parisian public acknowledged the lack of a handshake with boos. Something that can now be heard again. “I don’t pay much attention to that,” Switolina said at the press conference afterwards. “I can’t please everyone. I stay true to my line. To get the sympathy of the fans, I will not sell my country.”

“I don’t support war”

Sabalenka also appears at the press conference. That surprises. Because recently she skipped the meeting with the media twice. Now she’s making people sit up and pay attention with this line: “I don’t support war, which means I don’t support Lukashenko right now.” Belarus and dictator Alexander Lukashenko help Putin’s regime in the war.

Back to the sport: Sabalenka is in the semifinals at Roland Garros for the first time in her career. Her next opponent is the Czech Karolina Muchova (26, WTA 43), who beats the Russian Anastasiya Pavlyuchenkowa (31, WTA 333). For Switolina, who became a mother in October last year and took part in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the Australian Open in 2022, the journey ends in Paris. (yep)

Source : Blick