Sabalenka halts US Open match, citing strong marijuana smell

Aryna Sabalenka briefly halted her third-round U.S. Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova after detecting a strong marijuana odor while serving at Louis Armstrong Stadium. She alerted chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, who relayed the complaint to officials, before play resumed. Sabalenka said the smell made it difficult to compete and was unsure whether it came from the crowd or a nearby park outside the tournament grounds; the USTA facility prohibits smoking, though no smoking spectators were identified or ejected. The interruption did not derail the world No. 1, who won 6-3, 6-4 to extend her U.S. Open winning streak to 16 matches and continue her bid for a third consecutive title.