Aryna Sabalenka raised a formal complaint to the umpire after detecting a strong cannabis scent that lingered over the court during 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, yet midway through the opening set she signaled her displeasure to umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore at the first change‑over. "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 said in the post‑match press conference. "It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best." No spectators were identified as smoking on the premises, and none were removed from the venue.
Sabalenka added that she was uncertain whether the odor originated from the crowd or was drifting in from outside the arena, noting that wind patterns sometimes carry scents into the stadium. "I just hope they’ll be a bit more aware of that stuff," she remarked. USTA spokesperson Brendan McIntyre responded, "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 throughout the facility." Despite the olfactory distraction, Sabalenka’s performance remained virtually unaffected. She held serve without fault until the seventh game, when Rakhimova forced her into three deuce points.
That brief pressure proved to be the only real opening for the Russian in the first set, which Sabalenka closed out 6‑3. The second set proved more competitive. Rakhimova saved four break points and held serve four times in a row before Sabalenka finally broke her in the ninth game. After a 40‑0 lead slipped away, the four‑time Grand Slam champion rallied, secured the decisive break and served out the set to clinch a place in the round of 16.
Following the victory, Sabalenka was asked about her pre‑tournament routine, a line of questioning she brushed off sharply. A frequent presence on social media and a brand ambassador for several companies, she insisted that her off‑court commitments had not compromised her preparation for Flushing Meadows. "I completely shut down noise from outside," she said.
"I focus on myself, and I know if I work hard and stay disciplined I’ll have the chance to play at a high level." 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 crowns. She will meet American Taylor Townsend in the fourth round after Townsend dispatched 13th seed Diana Shnaider 6‑2, 6‑7 (3‑7), 6‑3. In the women's draw, third seed Jessica Pegula kept her maiden Grand Slam hopes alive by rallying from a set down to defeat former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 1‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3. Pegula will face Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea, who advanced after a straight‑sets win over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, 6‑3, 6‑3.
On the men’s side, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz continued his comeback from a four‑month wrist injury with a convincing 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑1 victory over Wu Yibing on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Although the scoreline suggests ease, Alcaraz was broken once in each of the first two sets by the 113th‑ranked Chinese player. The Spaniard appeared to cruise to a 2‑0 lead in the second set after winning five consecutive games, only to see Wu fight back and force a break point.
Alcaraz eventually reclaimed the break in the tenth game, secured a two‑set lead, and pulled away decisively in the third. "In the toughest moments I did everything right, which makes me really happy," Alcaraz said after the match. "Could it be better?
Yes. But overall I’m proud and happy with my performance today.
Honestly, I’m playing better than I expected after the wrist injury. Physically I thought I’d be dead after the first match, but I’m recovering well.
My level now is good, and I have the rhythm of competition every time I step on the court." Alcaraz’s next opponent will be 20th‑seeded American Tommy Paul, who survived a five‑set marathon against Kazakhstan’s 15th seed Alexander Bublik, winning 6‑4, 3‑6, 6‑7 (4‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3 in a match lasting three hours and thirteen minutes. Elsewhere in the tournament, seventh seed and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev overpowered Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6‑4, 6‑4, 6‑4 to move deeper into the men’s draw. 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 matches will be shown live on Sky Sports.