(UTV|COLOMBO) – Defending champion Novak Djokovic is out of the US Open after quitting through injury against Swiss 23rd seed Stan Wawrinka as defeat loomed in an electrifying fourth-round match.
Djokovic, 32, retired with a shoulder problem seconds after a double fault left him two sets and a break down.
Loud boos greeted the Serb’s decision, with more heard as he walked off court.
“I’m sorry for the crowd, they came to see a full match but it wasn’t to be,” Djokovic said.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka had dominated the blockbuster clash in a boisterous atmosphere at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, producing a powerful display reminiscent of his best to lead 6-4 7-5 2-0 when Djokovic decided he could not continue.
Wawrinka, 34, will play Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the last eight.
[alert color=”faebcc” icon=”fa-commenting”]Keeping up to date with breaking news while you are on the move is now simple with UTV Alerts [textmarker color=”8a6d3b”]Type REG UTV and send to 77000[/textmarker] on your Dialog, Airtel, or Hutch mobile connection[/alert]