World No. 1
The match, however, featured an unexpected interruption during the opening set when Sabalenka paused play to address a peculiar issue. The two-time defending champion approached chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to report a strong scent of cannabis drifting from the crowd. Sabalenka requested intervention, noting the intensity of the smell, which prompted the umpire to consult with officials via radio and gesture toward the stands.
A Focused Performance Amidst Off-Court Distractions
Despite the brief disruption, Sabalenka remained focused on her objective. She established an early advantage by breaking Rakhimova in the opening game of the match, eventually wrapping up the first set in just 35 minutes. While the 92nd-ranked Rakhimova elevated her performance in the second set, forcing a series of competitive, lengthy service games, she was unable to break the world No. 1. Sabalenka ultimately secured the decisive break at 5-4 to seal the win.
The presence of cannabis smoke at
Chasing History in New York
Sabalenka’s victory keeps her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open title alive. Should she succeed, she would join tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova as one of the few women to achieve such a feat. Furthermore, the 27-year-old is acutely aware that winning the tournament is essential if she hopes to retain her position at the top of the world rankings.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka awaits the winner of the match between 15th-seeded Diana Shnaider and American Taylor Townsend. As she advances to the next stage, her dominant form—highlighted by a clean sheet on break points faced—suggests she remains the player to beat in the draw.
