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Sabalenka Stops US Open Match Over Cannabis Smell on Court

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Aryna Sabalenka paused her US Open clash with Kamilla Rakhimova over a strong cannabis smell, then won 6-3 6-4 to reach the fourth round in New York.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka stopped her US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova to complain about a powerful cannabis smell drifting across the court, then recovered to win 6-3 6-4 and book a place in the fourth round in New York.

The Belarusian raised the concern with umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore after opening a 3-0 lead in the first set on Louis Armstrong Stadium, telling the official that someone nearby was smoking marijuana and asking her to step in because the odour was overpowering. Asderaki-Moore contacted an official over her radio and signalled the problem before the match resumed.

Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, said afterwards that she could not pinpoint where the smell had come from and urged spectators to show more consideration.

"It's a bit tricky to handle that smell while you're trying to compete at your best," she said. "I don't know if it was coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium. I just hope they're going to be a bit more aware of that stuff."

Smoking is banned across the grounds at Flushing Meadows, but the scent of cannabis occasionally drifts onto the courts from neighbouring Corona Park. In New York, adults aged 21 and over are legally permitted to smoke it.

Sabalenka is not alone in raising the issue at this year's tournament. Britain's Katie Boulter described the smell as a distraction, and fellow players Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones both said they had noticed it. In previous editions, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev voiced similar complaints.

The 28-year-old, chasing a fifth Grand Slam singles title, dominated from the outset. She leaned on her trademark power to lose only four points on serve in the opening set. Rakhimova, of Uzbekistan, offered stiffer resistance in the second, but Sabalenka broke to lead 5-4 before serving out the match.

Sabalenka struck 10 aces to her opponent's two and did not concede a single break point. The result extended her unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows to 16 matches as she attempts to become the first woman since Serena Williams, who won three in a row from 2012 to 2014, to claim three consecutive US Open singles crowns.

Her next opponent will be home favourite Taylor Townsend, who defeated Russian 15th seed Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 to set up a last-eight showdown.

Elsewhere in the women's draw, Karolina Muchova became the highest seed to exit so far. The world number seven was beaten by Emma Navarro.

American third seed Jessica Pegula kept her hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title alive by fighting back from a set down to overcome Canadian 31st seed Leylah Fernandez 1-6 6-4 6-3. Pegula lost the 2023 US Open final at Flushing Meadows to Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka, US Open 2025, cannabis smell tennis, Flushing Meadows, Kamilla Rakhimova, Taylor Townsend, Grand Slam, women's tennis

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