Aryna Sabalenka voiced a complaint to the umpire after detecting a pronounced scent of cannabis during her third‑round triumph over Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open. The world‑number‑one secured a straight‑sets win, 6‑3, 6‑4, on Louis Armstrong Stadium, but after jumping to a 3‑0 lead in the opening set she paused at the first changeover to alert umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore 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." No spectators were identified as smoking, and none were removed from the venue. Sabalenka added that she was unsure whether the smell originated from the crowd or was drifting in from outside the arena on the wind, but she hoped officials would become more mindful of such distractions. US Tennis Association spokesperson Brendan McIntyre responded, "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." The aromatic interruption did not appear to affect Sabalenka's performance. She held serve flawlessly until the seventh game, when Rakhimova managed to force three deuces.
That brief hiccup proved to be Rakhimova's only real foothold 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 consecutive times before Sabalenka finally broke in the ninth game. After a 40‑0 lead slipped away, the four‑time Grand Slam champion rallied to claim the decisive break and served out the set, sealing her place in the round of 16.
Following her victory, Sabalenka was pressed about her off‑court activities in a tense exchange with a reporter. The Belarusian, who frequently shares her schedule and brand partnerships on social media, defended her preparation routine, insisting that her external commitments had not compromised her readiness 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 won three consecutive US Open titles from 2012‑14) to capture three straight crowns.
In the upcoming round of 16 she will meet American Taylor Townsend, after Townsend dispatched 13th seed Diana Shnaider 6‑2, 6‑7 (3‑7), 6‑3. Other notable results from the day included Jessica Pegula keeping her maiden Grand Slam title hopes alive by rallying past former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 1‑6, 6‑4, 6‑3. Pegula will face Romania's Sorana Cîrstea in the next round after the 16th seed beat Italy's Jasmine Paolini 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 defeated Wu Yibing in straight sets, 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑1, on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Although the scoreline suggests dominance, Alcaraz was actually broken back in each of the first two sets by the world‑ranked 113th player. The Spaniard fought back, regaining a break in the tenth game of the second set to secure a two‑set lead before pulling away in the third. Alcaraz reflected on his performance, saying, "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." The Spaniard'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 that lasted three hours and thirteen minutes. Elsewhere, seventh seed and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev dispatched Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6‑4, 6‑4, 6‑4, advancing comfortably to the later stages. 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 catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown on Sky Sports.