Sabalenka Stops Match Over Cannabis Smell, Advances at US Open

During her match at the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka temporarily halted play after detecting a strong smell of cannabis. The incident occurred early in the first set while she was leading 3-0 against Kamilla Rakhimova. Sabalenka informed umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, stating that "someone is smoking weed" and requested intervention due to the intensity of the smell.

Following the brief interruption, play resumed, and the top-seeded Sabalenka secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium. This win marks her 16th consecutive triumph at Flushing Meadows as she aims for her fifth Grand Slam singles title. After the match, Sabalenka expressed uncertainty about the source of the odor, noting that it could have been carried by the wind from nearby Corona Park, where cannabis use is legal for adults in New York.

Sabalenka is not alone in her experience; other players, including Katie Boulter and Francesca Jones, have also commented on the distracting nature of the cannabis smell during the tournament. In previous years, notable players like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have raised similar concerns.

In her next match, Sabalenka will face American Taylor Townsend, who advanced after defeating 15th seed Diana Shnaider. Meanwhile, third seed Jessica Pegula continued her campaign for a first Grand Slam title by overcoming Leylah Fernandez after dropping the first set.