Aryna Sabalenka raised a formal complaint to the match official after detecting a pronounced scent of cannabis while she was completing her third‑round triumph over Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open. The world No.1 secured a straight‑sets win, 6-3 6-4, on the hard courts of Louis Armstrong Stadium, but midway through the opening set, after racing to a 3-0 advantage, she stopped play at the first changeover to alert umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore about the distracting 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 explained to reporters after the match. "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 smell originated from the crowd or drifted in from outside the stadium, noting that wind currents can carry odors into the arena. "I just hope they’ll be a bit more aware of that stuff," she said.
USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre responded in a written statement, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to a smoke‑free environment: "While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this facility as a smoke‑free environment." Despite the olfactory distraction, Sabalenka’s performance remained flawless. She did not miss a single first serve until the seventh game, when Rakhimova managed to push her to three deuce points. That brief lapse was the only real opening Rakhimova created in the first set, which Sabalenka closed out 6-3. The second set proved more competitive.
Rakhimova fought back repeatedly, saving four break points and holding serve on four consecutive occasions before Sabalenka finally broke in the ninth game. After a 40-0 lead slipped away for Rakhimova, the four‑time Grand Slam champion seized the break, served out the set and booked her place in the round of 16.
Following her win, Sabalenka was pressed by a reporter about her off‑court activities before the tournament. She responded curtly, emphasizing that her social‑media engagements and brand appearances had not interfered with her preparation for Flushing Meadows.
"I completely shut down noise from outside," she said. "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." Sabalenka now aims to become the first player since Serena Williams (who captured three consecutive titles from 2012 to 2014) to win three straight US Open crowns. In the round of 16 she will meet American Taylor Townsend, who earned her spot by defeating 13th seed Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 6-3.
Other notable results from the day included Jessica Pegula’s continued quest for a maiden Grand Slam title. The third seed rallied from a set down to defeat former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 1-6 6-4 6-3, securing her place in the last 16 where she will face Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea, the 16th seed who dispatched Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in straight sets, 6-3 6-3. On the men’s side, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated why he remains a dominant force despite a four‑month wrist injury layoff. He beat China’s Wu Yibing in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 6-1, on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The scoreline belied the effort required; Alcaraz was broken back in each of the first two sets by the 113th‑ranked Wu, who fought back fiercely after Alcaraz surged to 2-0 up in the second set. Alcaraz eventually secured a decisive break in the 10th game, establishing a two‑set lead before cruising through the third. "In the toughest moments I did everything good, which I’m really happy about," Alcaraz said in his post‑match interview. "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 challenge will be against 20th‑seeded American Tommy Paul in the round of 16.
Paul earned his place after surviving a grueling five‑set battle with Kazakhstan’s 15th seed Alexander Bublik, prevailing 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, overwhelming Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-4 6-4 to move deeper into the tournament. The US Open coverage remains available on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options on NOW and the Sky Sports App.
Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, broadcast live on Sky Sports.