India, Sept. 5 -- Aryna Sabalenka's third-round victory at the US Open was briefly interrupted on Friday when the world No. 1 asked the umpire to address a strong smell of cannabis inside Louis Armstrong Stadium. The unusual moment came during Sabalenka's second service game against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova. Having raced to a 3-0 lead, the top seed stopped play before it could continue and brought the issue to chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.

"Someone is smoking weed," Sabalenka said while leading 30-0. "Would you mind doing so, because it's so strong?" she stated further.

After winning the match, Sabalenka explained that her complaint was not about spectators enjoying themselves. Her concern was the effect the smell could have on...