Sabalenka Cruises Into US Open Fourth Round

Aryna Sabalenka briefly halted her US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova because of a strong smell of cannabis before cruising into the fourth round in New York. Top seed Sabalenka raised the issue after going 3-0 up in the first set against Uzbekistan's Rakhimova, telling umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that "someone is smoking weed". The Belarusian asked the umpire to intervene "because it's so strong".

Asderaki-Moore spoke to an official on her radio and made a smoking gesture to someone behind her, before play continued. Two-time defending champion Sabalenka went on to secure a confident 6-3 6-4 victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium as she chases a fifth Grand Slam singles title. Sabalenka is not the first player at this year's US Open to complain about smelling cannabis on court at Flushing Meadows.

Last week, Britain's Katie Boulter said it was distracting, while Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones also noticed the smell. In previous years players including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have also complained. Smoking is not permitted on site at Flushing Meadows but the smell of cannabis sometimes wafts on to court from the nearby Corona Park.

It is legal to smoke it in New York for adults aged 21 and over. Victory marked Sabalenka's 16th straight win at Flushing Meadows as she bids to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012-2014 to complete a hat-trick of US Open singles titles. The 28-year-old showcased her trademark power from the start against Rakhimova, dropping just four points on serve in a confident opening set.

Although Rakhimova fought well in the second set, Sabalenka secured the crucial break to go 5-4 up before safely serving out victory. Sabalenka served 10 aces to Rakhimova's two and did not face a single break point. She will face either American Taylor Townsend or Russian 15th seed Diana Shnaider - who beat her in the French Open quarter-finals in June - next.