Victoria Azarenka triumphed in a politically-charged grudge match at the US Open on Thursday as Serena and Venus Williams prepared to revive their record-setting doubles partnership for the last time at a Grand Slam.
Azarenka, a former world number one and a two-time major winner, cruised past Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-3 in a match dominated in the build-up by bitter exchanges over the conflict in Ukraine.
Last week, Belarusian Azarenka was axed from an exhibition event aimed at raising money for the war-ravaged country.
Ukraine star Kostyuk had refused take part in protest at the presence of Azarenka who she has criticised for a perceived failure to condemn the invasion of her home country.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has allowed Moscow to use its territory to launch attacks into Ukraine.
