Sabalenka overcomes unusual cannabis smell at US Open third round

At Flushing Meadows, New York, during the US Open 2026 third round, a tennis match unfolded with surprising developments. World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, is aiming for her third consecutive title at this Grand Slam event. Her opponent is Kamilla Rakhimova, a young Uzbekistani player. The match took place on a day when strong winds blew across the court, creating a particularly stuffy atmosphere for everyone involved. An unusual cannabis-like smell spread from the grass area, making the air especially notable. Many spectators noticed it immediately. Sabalenka also recognized it right from the first moments. She requested the chair umpire to intervene and check and clean the area. The umpire asked court staff to inspect and handle it. After everything was settled, Sabalenka continued playing at a high level. The match ended with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Sabalenka won without dropping a set. This was an important victory that propelled her to the next round. After the match, in her press conference, Sabalenka shared the story in a humorous way. She said she didn't know it was cannabis, but it made her laugh. She thought something was burning but still played well. This story quickly spread on social media. Many commentators praised how Sabalenka handled the situation professionally. Many people later said they laughed when hearing the story. Sabalenka also laughed and said she doesn't need weed. This is how she handled pressure. Many athletes may face similar difficulties. But Sabalenka overcame it. This story spread widely. Many sports fans shared on social media. They praised the spirit of sports. Sabalenka is a symbol of perseverance. She fought from start to finish. This match is proof of that. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds. The US Open is the biggest event of the year. Sabalenka is the defending champion. She won the cup last year and the year before. This match is an opportunity for her to maintain her position. Rakhimova is also a young player with potential. This match gave her valuable experience. The cannabis smell was probably caused by the wind from nearby areas. Many people later said they felt uncomfortable. But Sabalenka played well. She maintained pace and focused on the match. This victory gave her motivation for the next rounds.