Aryna Sabalenka’s latest US Open match was briefly interrupted when the world No 1 raised concerns with the umpire about a strong smell she believed was drifting across Louis Armstrong Stadium during her match against Kamilla Rakhimova.

“Would you mind to (tell them to deal with it) because it’s so strong?,” she asked during the match.

The issue was not fully resolved on court, and the smell complaints have become one of the recurring talking points of the tournament. Sabalenka returned to the subject after the match and made her position clear in press conference remarks.

“You can do what you want, smoke what you want, relax as much as you want, but please don’t do it near the tennis courts,” said the two-time US Open champion.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to have to put up with that smell when you’re trying to give your best. I don’t know if it was coming from the stands or from outside, because the wind was blowing it into the stadium.”

Sabalenka was not alone in questioning the conditions. Adrian Mannarino also pointed to the same issue after his defeat to Alexander Bublik, saying the atmosphere around court seven had become difficult to ignore.

Speaking after his exit, to Eurosport France, Mannarino said: “Now people are allowed to move around in the crowd during points. Before, they were not allowed in the court except during changeovers. Now they come in whenever they feel like it; they move around and talk.

“The tournament puts up with it, and I don’t know if it’s the best thing for tennis in general. There’s a smell of marijuana on the court, noise everywhere; the truth is it’s turning into a bit of a zoo. The playing conditions are really peculiar.”

The tournament has already faced criticism on other fronts this year, including high ticket prices and the growing presence of influencers around matches. Umpires have asked influencers to quiet down during play, and several players, including Naomi Osaka, have questioned the shift in etiquette.

“I think obviously if you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport,” said Osaka after her second round victory against Katerina Siniakova. “I feel like it’s common courtesy to read up on the sport, especially the etiquette.”

For a tournament of this stature, the conversation has again drifted away from results and toward the environment surrounding the action.

Andy Roddick and John Isner both believe the third-round meeting between Alex Eala and Iva Jovic could be one of the US Open’s most compelling matches so far.

Jovic, the home favourite, faces her friend Eala for a place in the fourth round, with the winner potentially meeting Coco Gauff next. Their rivalry is already established: the 18-year-old American has won both previous meetings in straight sets, once at the French Open and once at Queen’s Club.

The pair arrive with little separating them in the rankings. Eala, despite the attention around her, is just one place behind Jovic in the WTA Tour standings, with Jovic 16th and Eala 17th.

Ahead of Saturday’s match, Roddick said he hoped the contest would be staged on Arthur Ashe Stadium. He also suggested that Eala’s growing support could tilt the atmosphere. He said on Served, “The third round that I have had circled on the women’s side. Get your popcorn ready. Two future and current stars: Eala and Jovic. I hope they put this on Ashe. It might be an away game for Jovic even in America with Eala Mania.”

Isner was equally convinced the matchup has marquee appeal. Speaking on Nothing Major, he called the reaction around Eala “kind of crazy” and described the contest as a “blockbuster” matchup. He said, “Jovic-Eala for me… that reeks of Arthur Ashe Stadium. She played after [Gael] Monfils the other night. It was a full house; it doesn’t matter where she plays.

“Ticket prices have surged over 134% for her matches. It’s kind of crazy. She certainly does [move the needle].

“Manny Pacquiao was a great boxer from the Philippines; how huge he was. She’s not there yet to that level but man, that matchup is awesome. Jovic-Eala, that’s a blockbuster.”

Eala has reached this stage after losing just eight games, while Jovic has not been taken to three sets and has conceded 16 games. Jovic said she was relishing the occasion and the crowd around it. “The atmosphere is gonna be amazing, and she’s been playing some great tennis,” Jovic said. “It’s nice to be playing each other third round, deeper into the Slam, so hopefully we can all keep going on runs like this.”

Carlos Alcaraz continued to make a strong case for his comeback at the US Open, sweeping past Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to move into the last 16 in New York.

Before the tournament, some prominent voices questioned whether returning to a best-of-five-set Grand Slam after four-and-a-half months out with a wrist injury was wise. Andy Roddick and Greg Rusedski were among those who felt Alcaraz would be unlikely to gamble with his long-term health by coming back in the sport’s longest format.

So far, those doubts have not held up on court. The seven-time Grand Slam winner has handled his opening three matches at Flushing Meadows with authority and now looks increasingly like the leading candidate to complete a remarkable title run. Even so, Alcaraz suggested there is still more to come before his fourth-round meeting with Tommy Paul.

“Today was a really high rhythm. The way he plays, his balls leap around the court, but I stayed there and played aggressively and smart,” said Alcaraz.

“In the toughest moments, I did everything good, which I’m really happy about.

“Could it be better? Yes. But overall I’m just really proud and happy with the performance today.

“To be honest, I’m playing better than I thought [after over four months out injured with his wrist].

“Physically, I thought I was going to be dead after the first match. But I’m recovering really well.

“My level right now is really good, I’ve got the rhythm of the competition every time I step on the court.”

That assessment appears fair. His serve is gaining pace, his forehand is being struck with heavy power and his competitive edge looks fully restored, helped by strong backing from the large group in his box.

Alcaraz also has one of the biggest travelling entourages in men’s tennis, with coaches, brothers, parents and managers all trying to secure seats for each match. Family remains central to him, and when asked to name a dream doubles partner from his own relatives, he chose his younger brother.

“I have to say Jamie,” said Alcaraz. “He is doing great. Hopefully one day I can play doubles with him. I’m waiting for him.”

For now, the storyline is simple: Alcaraz is playing with enough control and conviction to challenge the usual assumptions about what is possible after injury, and he is doing it at Grand Slam level.