The top-seeded Belarusian raised the issue after taking a 3-0 lead in the opening set against Uzbekistan's Rakhimova. Sabalenka told chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that someone was smoking marijuana and asked officials to intervene because the smell was particularly strong.
Asderaki-Moore contacted an official over her radio and appeared to make a smoking gesture toward someone behind her before play resumed.
The interruption did little to disrupt Sabalenka's rhythm. The two-time defending champion went on to defeat Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium, continuing her pursuit of a fifth Grand Slam singles title.
Sabalenka is not the only player at this year's US Open to notice the smell of cannabis around the courts at Flushing Meadows. Britain's Katie Boulter previously described the odor as distracting, while Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones have also reported smelling cannabis during matches.
The issue has surfaced at the tournament in previous years as well, with prominent players including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev among those who have complained about the smell.
Smoking is prohibited at the Flushing Meadows site, although the scent of cannabis can sometimes drift onto the courts from nearby Corona Park. Recreational cannabis use is legal in New York for adults aged 21 and older.
Sabalenka's victory extended her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 16 consecutive matches. She is attempting to become the first woman since Serena Williams between 2012 and 2014 to win three consecutive US Open singles titles.
The 28-year-old immediately displayed her trademark power against Rakhimova, losing just four points on serve throughout the opening set.
Rakhimova mounted a stronger challenge in the second set and remained competitive, but Sabalenka found the decisive breakthrough when she broke serve to take a 5-4 lead. She then calmly served for the match to secure her place in the fourth round.
Sabalenka finished the contest with 10 aces compared with Rakhimova's two and never faced a break point.
She will next meet either American Taylor Townsend or 15th-seeded Russian Diana Shnaider. Shnaider defeated Sabalenka in the French Open quarter-finals in June.
