(REUTERS) – Geopolitical tensions simmered at the U.S. Open yesterday as Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk refused the customary handshake at the net when Belarusian Victoria Azarenka defeated her 6-2, 6-3 in the second round.

The pair exchanged a quick tap of the racquet on Court 17 after Kostyuk whacked the ball into the net on the third match point and the three-time Flushing Meadows finalist let out a triumphant roar.

“Well, I wasn’t surprised. I don’t believe that making a big deal out of it is important. I always shake hands with my opponents,” said Azarenka, who added that Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska had done the same in Washington, D.C., last month.

“I cannot force anybody to shake my hand. It’s their decision. How did it make me feel? It’s not the most important thing in the world right now.”

It marked the latest uneasy moment at the year’s final major, where Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians compete alongside one another against the backdrop of military conflict.

Belarus is being used as a key staging ground for Russia’s war in Ukraine, which Moscow terms a ‘special operation’.

Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of waging an unprovoked imperial-style war of aggression.