Aryna Sabalenka Stops US Open Match Over Marijuana Smell

Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped play during her US Open third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova after reporting a strong smell of marijuana inside the stadium, before continuing to a 6-3, 6-4 victory and a place in the last 16.

The top seed was leading 2-0 and serving in the opening set when she approached umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to raise the issue. Sabalenka told the umpire: “Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind to … because it’s so strong.” Smoking is not permitted inside the grounds, while recreational marijuana is legal for adults over 21 in New York.

Sabalenka raises issue during early first-set lead

The interruption came as Sabalenka had established early control against Uzbekistan’s Rakhimova. She broke in Rakhimova’s first service game and held her own serve comfortably as she moved ahead in the first set.

Sabalenka did not miss a first serve until the seventh game of the contest and closed out the opening set in 35 minutes. The world number one took it 6-3, setting up a straight-sets win that kept her campaign moving in New York.

The incident was an unusual moment in an otherwise high-level contest. Sabalenka had alerted the umpire to the smell while play was underway, but the match continued and she maintained her focus through the remainder of the opening set.

Her victory was built on strong serving and attacking numbers. Sabalenka did not face a break point throughout the match, fired 29 winners and delivered 10 aces against the 92nd-ranked Rakhimova.

Rakhimova makes second set a tougher contest

The scoreline did not fully reflect the pressure Rakhimova applied, particularly in the second set. After Sabalenka’s smooth opening set, Rakhimova increased the power of her game and made the second set a much tighter affair.

The pair produced demanding service holds before Sabalenka found the decisive break to take a 5-4 lead. She then completed the 6-4 set to seal the match in straight sets.

Sabalenka credited Rakhimova for the challenge after the match, saying: “She played incredible tennis, she really pushed me so hard in the second set. I’m super happy that I was able to close this match in straight sets because she’s a fighter.”

US Open title defence and ranking stakes remain in focus

The result sends Sabalenka into the US Open last 16 as she continues her title defence. Her world number one ranking is under threat in New York, and she must repeat as champion to have a chance of remaining in the top position.

Sabalenka’s next opponent will be either 15th-seeded Russian Diana Shnaider or 96th-ranked American Taylor Townsend. Shnaider previously defeated Sabalenka in the French Open quarter-finals at Roland Garros in June.

For Sabalenka, the win over Rakhimova combined a composed response to an unexpected mid-match distraction with a crucial late break in a competitive second set. The top seed advanced without surrendering serve and remains in contention as the tournament reaches its latter rounds.