Aryna Sabalenka acknowledges singer Natti Natasha’s support at the Miami Open 2023
Aryna Sabalenka progressed to the fourth round of the 2023 Miami Open. In her third-round match, singer Natti Natsha was seen in the crowd supporting and cheering the Belarusian on.
The second-seed dominated the match from the get-go, laying all concerns of her upper leg injury from the previous match to rest. She hit four aces and won 83% on her first serve before sailing past her opponent, Marie Bouzkova, 6-1, 6-2.
The 24-year-old took to social media to post a couple of pictures with the 'Sin Pijama' singer and also replied to a picture that Natti Natasha posted from the match.
"Look who was there to support me. Thank you for coming," Sabalenka wrote.
In another picture, the two can be seen making a fun pose.
"Probably our best picture," Sabalenka wrote.
The two have been close friends for quite some time. They were seen at a Miami Heat game together last year where they posed courtside before the start of the game.
Sabalenka will next face Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round of the tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka to lock horns with Barbora Krejcikova in fourth round of the Miami Open 2023
Aryna Sabalenka will square off against Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round of the Miami Open 2023 on Tuesday, March 28.
The Indian Wells finalist came strong into the tournament. Since receiving a first-round bye, she has had straight sets victories in the second and third rounds over Shelby Rogers and Marie Bouzkova respectively.
A clean performance from the World No.2!
@SabalenkaA advances to the Round of 16 with a win over Bouzkova ➡️
#MiamiOpen https://t.co/do2bsp56kg
Sixteenth seed Krejcikova has made a strong start to the tournament. She overcame Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Madison Keys in the second and third rounds, respectively. She also had straight set victories over her opponents.
In an on-court interview after her third-round match, the World No.2 spoke highly of Krejcikova stating that it will be a "tough battle".
"I think if you give her some time she can put the ball wherever she wants to," Sabalenka said. "It's tough. So you have to put a lot of pressure on her. You have to be really aggressive on court and not give her too much time and make her really work for it. She's a great player and it's always tough battles against her."
The duo last met on court at Indian Wells, with Sabalenka coming out on top. Their head-to-head stands at 3-1 in the Belarusian's favor.