Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the US Open round of 16 with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday. The world No. 1 Belarusian hit 29 winners, including 10 aces, and did not face a break point, although 92nd-ranked Rakhimova pushed her hard in a competitive second set.
Amid some brilliant tennis, a bit of a light-hearted highlight was Sabalenka stopping the contest midway through the first set to tell umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that ‘someone is smoking weed’. She seemed to be urging the umpire to take some action ‘because it’s so strong’, before Asderaki-Moore was seen speaking to an official over her radio and making a smoking gesture to someone behind her.
It’s common for tennis stars to complain about the
smell of cannabis at the US Open. Last week, Britain’s Katie Boulter said it was distracting, while Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have also complained in the past. Smoking cannabis is legal in New York over the age of 21, and while it’s not allowed on-site at Flushing Meadows, the venue is infamous for having it anyway from nearby areas.
The match continued after Sabalenka’s complaint. she made a strong start, breaking in Rakhimova’s opening service game before comfortably taking the first set in 35 minutes. Rakhimova raised her level in the second, with both players holding serve through several lengthy games. Sabalenka eventually secured the decisive break at 5-4 to close out the match in straight sets.
The 27-year-old, who must win the title to have a chance of retaining the world No. 1 ranking, will next face either 15th-seeded Diana Shnaider or American Taylor Townsend. Sabalenka is also bidding to become only the third woman, after Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, to win three consecutive US Open titles.
