Aryna Sabalenka temporarily stopped her US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova after noticing a strong smell of cannabis on the court. The Belarusian raised the issue with umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore early in the first set, citing the overpowering odor as a distraction.
After an umpire discussion and a smoking gesture directed behind the chair, play resumed. Sabalenka went on to defeat Uzbekistan’s Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in New York’s Louis Armstrong Stadium, advancing to the fourth round as she pursues a fifth Grand Slam singles title.
Court Distraction Amid Legal Cannabis Use in New York
Sabalenka, a two-time defending champion at the US Open, was not the first player this year to complain about cannabis smell during matches. British players Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, and Francesca Jones have also noted the odor on court. In previous years, stars like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev reported similar distractions.
Although smoking is prohibited at the Flushing Meadows venue, the scent often drifts in from nearby Corona Park, where cannabis consumption is legal for adults aged 21 and over.
Sabalenka’s Performance Highlights
Sabalenka displayed dominance early, losing just four points on her serve in the opening set and hitting 10 aces compared to Rakhimova’s two. She did not face any break points during the match. Despite a stronger fight in the second set from Rakhimova, Sabalenka secured the critical break to lead 5-4 and then served out the victory confidently.
Next Steps at the US Open
With the win, Sabalenka extends her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 16 matches. She aims to become the first woman since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014 to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. Her next opponent will be either American Taylor Townsend or Russian 15th seed Diana Shnaider, who had previously defeated Sabalenka in the French Open quarter-finals in June.
