Sabalenka halts US Open match over cannabis smell

Aryna Sabalenka paused her US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova in New York after a strong cannabis smell hit the court. The Belarusian, the top seed, told umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore that someone was smoking weed and asked for intervention. Play resumed after a brief pause, and Sabalenka went on to win 6‑3, 6‑4 to reach the fourth round.

The incident follows a series of complaints from players about cannabis odors at Flushing Meadows. Last week British players Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones also reported the smell. Smoking is banned on the tournament site, but cannabis can be legally smoked in New York for adults over 21. The scent sometimes drifts onto the courts from the nearby Corona Park, a known cannabis dispensary area. Previous champions like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have raised similar concerns in earlier years.

Sabalenka's win was dominant. She served 10 aces and did not lose a break point. She broke Rakhimova at 5‑4 in the second set to seal the match. The Belarusian now has 16 straight victories at the US Open. Her next opponent will be either Taylor Townsend of the United States or Diana Shnaider of Russia, who defeated her in the French Open quarter‑finals in June. The match was a reminder of the high stakes for both players and the crowd's appetite for top‑class tennis.

The victory moves Sabalenka closer to a record‑tying hat‑trick of US Open titles, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in 2012‑2014. A fifth Grand Slam singles title would cement her place among the sport's elite. The incident also highlights the ongoing debate about cannabis use in professional sports and the impact of local laws on international tournaments. As the tournament progresses, players and organizers will need to address these environmental factors to preserve the integrity of the competition.