Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk slammed the door shut on the traditional post-match handshake with defeated finalist Mirra Andreeva after lifting the title on Saturday at the Madrid Masters.

Following the tradition of Ukrainian players facing Russian or Belarus opponents, Kostyuk went straight for the chair umpire instead of her beaten opponent after the 6-3, 7-5 finals win in Spain.

Teenaged Andreeva quietly sobbed into her towel after the slight, which is commonplace from Ukrainians even since the Russian invasion of February, 2022. 

The 26th-ranked Ukrainian was competing in her first final at the 1000 level; Anreeva followed her opponent’s example and did greet the umpire before putting her head in a towel at her bench.

Kostyuk, who lost on one set her way to the title, won her 11th match in a row after also winning in Rouen, France.

“I want to thank all my opponents that I played this week. I mean, the girls pushed me to the limit, one of the most unbelievable matches for me these weeks. Very special two weeks here,” the emotional winner said.

Kostyuk played last January in the Brisbane final against world No. 1 Belorussian Aryna Sabalenka, also refusing to shake hands after that final.

“It has taken me many years to get here, not giving up, continuing to work consistently. I’m very proud of the effort I’ve put in,” Kostyuk said.

“A year ago, I thought it would never be possible to win here in Madrid, and now I ‘ve done it. I am very happy.”

She is the first player ranked outside the top 10 to win here since Petra Kvitova in 2011. 

Main photo:- Marta Kostyuk with Madrid Trophy by ISF Ltd

Emma Raducanu has reigned in expectations after pulling off her best career showing since winning the 2021 US Open, with the Brit ready to ease more cautiously into the spring clay season.

Raducanu failed to come up third time lucky against Americans in Miami, going down 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 in a Masters 1000 quarter-final to fifth seed Jessica Pegula.

But instead of shooting straight through and trying her luck at next month’s clay Stuttgart 1000 indoor event, Raducanu will touch toes on the dirt at the more modest 250 level in Rouen.

While the French date won’t be easy, entering at a lower level might help  in maintaining Raducanu’s growing confidence as she searches for a coach after parting ways with her sixth in four seasons this spring.

Against Pegula in Miami, Raducanu had to be treated on court after feeling unwell: 

“I just felt really dizzy. I felt faint. I don’t know,” the 22-year-old said. “It was very humid out there and we had a long wait, so maybe just an accumulation.

“There were long rallies and heavy conditions. I don’t know how I kind of regrouped in that second set, but in the third I definitely struggled a little bit.”

Main photo:- Coachless Emma Raducanu modifies her clay season plans – by ISF Ltd