So Far, Only Weed Has Slowed No. 1 Player at Open

Top-ranked women's player Aryna Sabalenka has cruised into the round of 16 at the US Open and plays again on Sunday against American Taylor Townsend. But in her last match, the Belarusian finally found something that could stop her: the smell of marijuana. Sabalenka said she had never smelled the odor so strong as she did while serving early in the match on Friday, per the AP. "I don't know if it was, like, coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium," Sabalenka said. "I don't know. I just hope they're going to be a bit more aware of that stuff."

Sabalenka was serving in the third game of the match in Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens when she tossed the ball up but then let it fall to the court. She did the same thing on the next point, with something clearly bothering her. She then approached the chair to ask for help. Alas, no fans were found to be smoking. Other players, such as Nick Kyrgios and Maria Sakkari, have previously complained about the smell of marijuana during their matches. A park located behind the grounds where the US Open is played is one likely source.