World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to advance to the fourth round of the US Open. The straight-sets win stretched Sabalenka’s unbeaten run in New York this fortnight to three matches, all without the loss of a set.
The 28-year-old needed 1 hour 17 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium to close out the Russian qualifier. She broke serve five times, struck 28 winners, and committed 19 unforced errors. Rakhimova, ranked 84th, forced 10 break points but converted only two.
Match at a glance
| Metric | Sabalenka | Rakhimova |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 6-3, 6-4 | — |
| Aces | 7 | 2 |
| Double faults | 4 | 3 |
| First-serve % | 68% | 61% |
| Winners | 28 | 11 |
| Unforced errors | 19 | 14 |
| Break points converted | 5 of 9 | 2 of 10 |
| Match duration | 1 hour 17 minutes | |
Cannabis complaint mid-match
Sabalenka halted play in the second set to alert chair umpire Marijana Veljovic to a cannabis smell drifting from the stands. She resumed without protest. The US Open has logged similar complaints in previous editions, most notably during the 2024 women’s semifinals.
Post-match presser turns sharp
A reporter asked whether Sabalenka had been “partying” rather than training before the tournament. She cut the question short. “I was working. I was training. I never partied. Please respect the work I put in,” she said, according to pool reports. The clip drew 4.2 million views on X within six hours.
Road to the quarterfinals
Sabalenka faces No. 19 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia next. The Brazilian leads the head-to-head 1-0, on clay in 2022. Title odds at BetMGM moved from +275 to +240 after the Rakhimova result.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was the final score between Aryna Sabalenka and Kamilla Rakhimova at the 2025 US Open?
- A: Sabalenka defeated Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets in 1 hour and 17 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- Q: How many break points did Sabalenka convert against Rakhimova?
- A: Sabalenka converted 5 of 9 break point opportunities, while Rakhimova converted only 2 of 10.
- Q: Why did play stop during the Sabalenka vs Rakhimova match?
- A: Sabalenka alerted chair umpire Marijana Veljovic to a cannabis smell drifting from the stands during the second set, then resumed play without protest.
- Q: What did Sabalenka say about the ‘partying’ question at her post-match press conference?
- A: She pushed back firmly, stating: ‘I was working. I was training. I never partied. Please respect the work I put in.’ The clip quickly went viral, drawing over 4.2 million views on X within six hours.
- Q: Who does Sabalenka play next at the US Open?
- A: Sabalenka faces No. 19 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the fourth round. Haddad Maia leads the head-to-head 1-0 from a 2022 clay-court meeting.
Extended Reading
Match report and tactical breakdown: Sky Sports, “US Open: Aryna Sabalenka complains of cannabis smell during win over Kamilla Rakhimova.” Reporter exchange transcript: Fox News Outkick, “Aryna Sabalenka fires back at reporter for asking question about partying after US Open victory.” Presser video and quote pull: The Daily Beast, “Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Torches Reporter Over Partying Question.”