Aryna Sabalenka raised a formal complaint to the match official after she detected a strong scent of cannabis drifting through the arena 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 Louis Armstrong Stadium, but the pleasant rhythm of her play was briefly interrupted when she approached umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore at the first changeover to point out the pervasive 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 the source of the smell, and none were removed from the venue. Sabalenka added that she was unsure whether the odor originated from the crowd or was carried in from outside by the wind, but she urged officials and fans to be more mindful of such distractions in the future. U.S.
Tennis Association 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 for players and fans alike." Despite the olfactory disturbance, Sabalenka’s performance remained virtually untouched. She held serve without missing a first serve until the seventh game, when Rakhimova forced her into three deuce points. That brief pressure proved to be Rakhimova's only real foothold in the opening set, which Sabalenka closed out 6-3. The second set proved more competitive; Rakhimova saved four break points and fought back from a 0-40 deficit, but Sabalenka eventually broke in the ninth game and served out the set to secure her place in the round of 16.
After the win, Sabalenka was pressed about her pre‑tournament routine. She quickly deflected the line of questioning, emphasizing that her off‑court engagements 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 will have my chances and be able 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 to 2014) to claim three straight championships.
In the round of 16 she will meet American Taylor Townsend, who advanced 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 notable battle between third seed Jessica Pegula and former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. Pegula rallied from a 1-6 first‑set deficit to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, keeping her hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title alive. Meanwhile, 16th seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania will face American Jessica Pegula in the next round after dispatching 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. Alcaraz defeated China’s Wu Yibing in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Although the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, Alcaraz was actually broken back in both of the first two sets, highlighting Wu’s resilience.
The Spaniard described the match as a test of his mental and physical recovery, saying, "In the toughest moments I did everything right, which I’m really happy about. Could it be better?
Yes. But overall I’m proud and happy with my performance today. I thought I would be dead after the first match, but I’m recovering well. My level is good and I have the rhythm of competition every time I step on court." Alcaraz now faces 20th‑seeded American Tommy Paul in the round of 16 after Paul survived a grueling five‑set duel 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 in the tournament, seventh seed and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev displayed his trademark baseline dominance by beating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, advancing to the next round without dropping a set. 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 upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 on Sky Sports.