World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka had an awkward moment during her US Open fourth-round match on Friday against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, world No. 92. Mid-match, the reigning two-time champion paused play to complain to the chair umpire about a strong smell of marijuana wafting through Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
“Someone is smoking marijuana,” Sabalenka told umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, asking if something could be done because the odor was overpowering. After securing the win, she addressed the issue directly, saying spectators are welcome to do as they please and relax however they like, but asked that they avoid smoking near the courts, since the smell makes it difficult to compete at a high level. She noted it was the strongest she had ever smelled it during a match, adding that wind may have blown the smoke from the crowd or outside the stadium toward the court, and said she hoped fans would be more considerate.
Despite the distraction, Sabalenka cruised to a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory in one hour and 28 minutes, extending her winning streak at the tournament to 16 matches and advancing to the round of 16. She won 75 percent of her service points and hit 29 winners against 19 unforced errors. The Belarusian, who also captured the 2024 title, will next face the winner of the match between Russia’s Diana Shnaider and Britain’s Taylor Townsend. Her ranking as world No. 1 depends partly on how second-ranked Elena Rybakina fares in the tournament.
Curious about how the rest of the match unfolded? Check out the original report for more details.
Source: Aryna Sabalenka vivió un incómodo momento en el Abierto de EE. UU.: frenó su partido por el fuerte olor a marihuana (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Basil D Soufi.