Pablo Carreno Busta hilariously QUITS at the midway point as he is accused of “collapsing” the horror of the third set in a dramatic five-set loss to Russia’s Karen Khachanov
- The Spaniard gifted his opponent a point, moving away from the ball in the middle of the rally.
- Pablo Carreño Busta struggled in the third set, losing 6-1, giving the opponent an advantage
- The Russian won three of the last four sets to progress 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
- Khachanov will now face fiery Aussie Nick Kyrgios in the quarterfinals.
Pablo Carreno Busta lived up to his name when the Spaniard became very frustrated – some may say fuel – during his five-set loss to 27th seed Karen Khachanov.
Facing a 5-1 deficit in the third set, Carreno Busta served and volleyed before inexplicably leaving the rally as Khachanov closed in on the net.
The Russian hit the ball over the net to close out the set before giving himself a first affirmation bomb.
Pablo Carreno Busta (center) gave up the midpoint in a rally with Karen Khachanov at the US Open
Carreno Busta was booed by those inside Louis Armstrong Stadium during the third, and commentator Adam Fielder suggested he left the set entirely.
“He just wants to get out of this set,” Fielder said on Channel 9 Australia’s coverage before Busta gifted the final point to Khachanov.
“The crowd doesn’t love that about Pablo Carreno Busta, he practically collapsed at the end of that third set there.”
Although it seemed as if Carreno Busta was suffering from some kind of ailment and called for a medical timeout at the end of the humiliating set.
Carreño Busta sought medical attention during his loss to Russia’s Khachanov in New York
Carreno Busta seemed to struggle with the harsh humidity during Sunday’s Round of 16 match.
From there, the contest was hotly contested, in stark contrast to Carreño Busta’s previous energy levels.
Khachanov ultimately triumphed, as he had in the three previous meetings between the pair.
The victory now extends his overall record to six wins and three losses against the Spaniard.
Khachanov has reached the US Open quarterfinals for the first time but faces a monumental task to go further with Nick Kyrgios waiting in the wings.
Kyrgios defeated Khachanov’s compatriot and world number one Daniil Medvedev in four sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium later on Sunday night.
Khachanov, who cannot play under his country’s flag, advanced to the quarterfinals
