Sabalenka Advances at US Open
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the US Open fourth round.
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Key Points
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Sabalenka hit 29 winners and 10 aces without facing a break point; she also did not miss a first serve until the seventh game of the match.
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During the first set, chair umpire Marijana Veljovic was seen making a smoking gesture after speaking with tournament officials, apparently responding to the cannabis smell reaching the stadium; smoking is prohibited throughout the U.S. Open grounds.
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Rakhimova entered the match after producing one of the tournament’s early upsets, defeating 27th-seeded two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round.
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Sabalenka must successfully defend her title to have a chance of retaining the world No. 1 ranking, and her possible next opponent Diana Shnaider previously defeated her in the French Open quarterfinals in June.
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Sabalenka had already beaten Rakhimova three times, including straight-set victories at the 2023 and 2025 French Opens; Rakhimova’s closest challenge came in a three-set match in Washington, D.C., in 2024.
Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the U.S. Open fourth round for a fifth straight year, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday. The world No. 1 and two-time defending champion controlled the match without facing a single break point, firing 29 winners and 10 aces to keep her bid for a third consecutive title alive.
Sabalenka's dominance was interrupted only by a cannabis smell drifting into Louis Armstrong Stadium during her second service game. SMH reported that she alerted chair umpire Marijana Veljovic to the distraction, which violated U.S. Open smoking rules. Despite the interruption, Sabalenka won the second set in 54 minutes with a decisive break at 5-4.
Sabalenka's Flawless Performance Against Strong Challenge
Rakhimova pushed Sabalenka harder than expected, particularly in a second set that lasted 54 minutes. WA Today noted that the Bulgarian star did not miss her first serve until the seventh game—a sign of her precision and confidence. Sabalenka's 29 winners and 10 aces overwhelmed Rakhimova, who came into the match as an underdog after upsetting 27th-seeded Barbora Krejcikova in the first round.
This marks Sabalenka's fifth consecutive U.S. Open fourth round appearance. She has already beaten Rakhimova three times, including straight-set victories at the 2023 and 2025 French Opens. Rakhimova's best result against the top seed came in a three-set loss in Washington, D.C., in 2024.
Cannabis Smell Prompts Umpire Response During Match
The cannabis odor became so strong during Sabalenka's second service game that she stopped play to complain. The Age reported that chair umpire Marijana Veljovic was then seen making a smoking gesture after speaking with tournament officials. The U.S. Open strictly prohibits smoking anywhere on tournament grounds, yet the smell continued to distract players on court.
Sabalenka criticized the distraction after the match, calling it an issue that affected her concentration. She refused to let the incident derail her performance, staying focused to secure the straight-sets victory and advance deeper into the tournament.
Title Defense Critical for Retaining World No. 1 Ranking
Sabalenka's path to a third straight U.S. Open title is crucial for keeping the world No. 1 ranking. Her next opponent will be either Diana Shnaider or Taylor Townsend. Shnaider presents a particular threat—she defeated Sabalenka in the French Open quarterfinals in June, showing she can match the champion's power and pace.
Sabalenka praised Rakhimova's level despite the lopsided scoreline, acknowledging that her opponent raised her game in the second set. The 26-year-old remains focused on defending her title, knowing that anything less than winning the tournament puts her No. 1 ranking in jeopardy.
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