Novak Djokovic was dramatically disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after accidentally striking a woman line judge with a ball during his last-16 match, sending shock waves through the tournament.
The World No. 1 hit the ball in frustration after losing his serve to go 5-6 down in the first set to Spain's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic appeared to be looking the other way when he pulled the ball from his pocket and smacked it in the direction of the official, hitting her full on the throat.
Gasping for breath
The official cried out and began gasping for breath as she collapsed to the ground. Djokovic rushed over to check on her, placing his hand on her back as she struggled to breathe. After a few minutes she got up and walked off the court looking dazed.
Around 10 minutes of discussions ensued between Djokovic and tournament referee Soeren Friemel. The umpire then declared that Busta had won following a default for Djokovic. The Serb shook hands with his opponent before leaving the court. He later apologised for the incident by releasing a statement.
Djokovic’s disqualification blows the men’s draw wide open and means it will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday.
“Now it gets interesting,” said fifth seed Alexander Zverev, who described Djokovic as “very unlucky.”
Meanwhile, fifth seed Zverev bulldozed past Spain's unseeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, while 12th seed Canadian Denis Shapovalov beat David Goffin for a maiden Grand Slam last-eight spot.
Rogers stuns Kvitova
In the women's draw, American Jennifer Brady, seeded 28th, stunned three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber while eighth seed Petra Martic was bundled out by Kazakhstan's 23rd seed Yulia Putintseva.
American Shelby Rogers upset sixth seed Petra Kvitova 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6). She will next play two-time Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who defeated Estonia's Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 6-4.