Ben Shelton’s US Open campaign ended in tears after he withdrew mid-match with a shoulder injury he called the “worst pain” of his life, while milestone man Novak Djokovic battled through his own physical struggles to reach the fourth round.

Canadian Open champion Shelton was locked in an entertaining contest with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Friday in Louis Armstrong Stadium when his tournament suddenly unravelled.

“I just did something to my shoulder, I don’t know what it is. I’m in a lot of pain,” the American sixth seed told his father and coach Bryan during a medical timeout.

As left-hander Mannarino fought back to level the match at two sets all, a devastated Shelton wiped away tears before withdrawing ahead of the decider, leaving fans gasping.

Shelton’s compatriot, 17th seed F

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