Aryna Sabalenka raised a formal complaint to the umpire after detecting a pronounced scent of cannabis while she was securing her third‑round triumph over Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open. The world No.1 dispatched the unseeded Russian in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, on the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium. Early in the match, after racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, Sabalenka approached umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore at the first change‑over and asked for clarification about the lingering odor. "I was like, 'Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please don’t do it around the tennis courts,'" Sabalenka told reporters after the match.
"It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best." Officials confirmed that no spectators were found smoking on the premises, and none were ejected. Sabalenka later speculated that the smell might have been drifting in from outside the venue, carried by the wind, rather than originating from the crowd itself. "I don’t know if it was coming from the crowd or was from the outside, because the wind blows it into the stadium. I just hope they’ll be a bit more aware of that stuff," she added.
USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre responded in a written statement: "While we can’t control what happens off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we remain vigilant in maintaining a smoke‑free environment for players and fans alike." Despite the distraction, Sabalenka’s performance remained virtually untouched. She held every first serve until the seventh game, when Rakhimova forced her into three deuce points. That brief pressure was the only real opening Rakhimova created in the first set, which Sabalenka closed out 6-3.
The second set proved more competitive. Rakhimova saved four break points and fought back from four‑straight break opportunities to hold serve repeatedly. However, Sabalenka finally broke in the ninth game, turning a 40‑0 lead for Rakhimova into a crucial service break that she later converted to seal the set and the match, earning a place in the round of 16.
After the win, Sabalenka was pressed about her off‑court commitments. She quickly shut down speculation that her numerous media appearances and brand engagements had interfered with her preparation for Flushing Meadows. "I completely shut down noise from outside. I focus on myself, and I know if I do that and work really hard I will have my chances and be able to play a great level of tennis," she said, emphasizing that her routine remained disciplined despite a busy public profile.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka aims to become the first player since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Open titles from 2012‑14) to capture three straight titles at the tournament. In the round of 16 she will meet American Taylor Townsend, who earned her spot after a hard‑fought victory over 13th seed Diana Shnaider, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3. The women's draw also featured a dramatic win for Jessica Pegula, the third seed, who rallied from a set down to defeat former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, keeping her hopes for a maiden Grand Slam title alive.
Pegula will face Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea in the next round after Cîrstea, the 16th seed, dispatched Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. On the men’s side, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz continued his comeback from a wrist injury that sidelined him for more than four months.
He beat Wu Yibing in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Although the scoreline suggests dominance, Alcaraz was actually broken twice in the first two sets, showing that Wu gave him a respectable fight. The Spaniard described the match as a test of his resilience: "In the toughest moments I did everything good, which I’m really happy about.
Could it be better? Yes.
But overall I’m just really proud and happy with the performance today. To be honest, I’m playing better than I thought after the wrist injury.
Physically, I thought I was going to be dead after the first match, but I’m recovering really well. My level right now is really good, I’ve got the rhythm of the competition every time I step on the court." Alcaraz’s next opponent will be 20th‑seeded American Tommy Paul, who survived a five‑set battle against Kazakhstan’s 15th seed Alexander Bublik, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-3 in a match that lasted three hours and 13 minutes.
Elsewhere, seventh seed and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev continued his strong run by overpowering Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, showcasing his relentless baseline game. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also attend the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, where the event will be shown live on Sky Sports.