Sport · World News Bureau
Sabalenka's US Open match briefly halted by cannabis odor
World number one Aryna Sabalenka's straight-sets victory over Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open was interrupted when officials paused play due to a cannabis smell emanating from the stadium vicinity.
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The top-seeded Ukrainian tennis player's second-round match against Rakhimova was momentarily suspended as officials investigated the source of the odor that wafted into Arthur Ashe Stadium during their encounter in New York.
The disruption occurred during the match at Flushing Meadows, prompting tournament officials to take action to address the issue and restore normal playing conditions. The smell appeared to originate from outside the main stadium rather than from within the venue itself.
Despite the interruption, Sabalenka proceeded to secure a decisive straight-sets victory over her opponent, continuing her strong campaign at the year's final Grand Slam tournament. The incident highlighted an ongoing challenge for major sporting events held in New York, where cannabis use has been legal since 2021.
The US Open has faced similar disruptions in previous years related to marijuana use in the vicinity of the grounds. Tournament organizers have implemented various measures to mitigate the issue, though completely eliminating the problem has proven difficult given the legal status of cannabis in New York State and the venue's location in Queens.