Sabalenka's US Open match halted by cannabis odor

World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the US Open after defeating Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets, but the match was temporarily halted when a strong odor of cannabis was detected on Court 2 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The interruption occurred late in the second set, prompting officials to pause play while the source of the smell was investigated.

Umpire and tournament staff halted the match for approximately ten minutes, during which both players were escorted off the court. After a sweep of the surrounding area and a review of security footage, officials determined that the odor originated from a nearby spectator area rather than any violation of tournament policy. No disciplinary action was taken against either player, and the match resumed without further incident, allowing Sabalenka to complete her victory and move on to the next round.

The US Open’s security team said the incident will be reviewed to prevent future disruptions, while Sabalenka’s win keeps her on track for a potential title defense. The tournament continues as scheduled, with the next round set to begin later this week.