Denis Shapovalov checks on the welfare of umpire Arnaud Gabas after he was struck by a ball ©Getty Images

Great Britain progressed to the Davis Cup quarter-finals in bizarre fashion today after Canadian Denis Shapovalov was disqualified for hitting umpire Arnaud Gabas in the face with a ball.

The World Group tie had gone into a deciding rubber in Ottawa after Vasek Pospisil saw off Dan Evans 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

Shapovalov went two sets down against Kyle Edmund and after sending a forehand cross-court shot wide of the tramlines to go 2-1 down in the third, the frustrated 17-year-old who won the Wimbledon boys' singles title last year aimed a ball into the crowd.

However, it hit Gabas in the umpire’s chair, leaving him with a bruise on the left side of his face.

Following an intervention from match referee Brian Earley, it was determined the only decision that could be made was for to default the match in favour of Britain.

The incident let the crowd stunned and Shapovalov, who was quick to apologise to Gabas, in tears.

Denis Shapovalov was tearful following the incident which ended with him being defaulted from the match ©Getty Images
Denis Shapovalov was tearful following the incident which ended with him being defaulted from the match ©Getty Images

In the other World Group games, the United States completed a thumping 5-0 victory against Switzerland.

Already assured of progressing heading into the day, the 32-time champions rounded off the win with straight sets triumphs for Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson.

Played over three sets as the overall result was already decided, Querrey beat Adrien Bossel 6-3, 7-5 in Birmingham, Alabama, before Johnson overcame Antoine Bellier 6-4, 6-3.

Last year’s runners-up Croatia were knocked out though by Spain in Osijek after the visitors won the last two singles rubbers.

Roberto Bautista Agut started proceedings with a 1-6, 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 win over Franko Skugor to level the scores.

Roberto Bautista Agut helped Spain turn a 2-1 deficit around against Croatia ©Getty Images
Roberto Bautista Agut helped Spain turn a 2-1 deficit around against Croatia ©Getty Images

Then Pablo Carreno Busta finished the comeback by defeating Nikola Mektic 7-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Australia had already been guaranteed a place in the next round after going 3-0 up against the Czech Republic yesterday.

They completed the tie with another win from Jordan Thompson, who beat Jan Satral 7-6, 6-2, after Sam Groth lost to Jiri Vesely 3-6, 7-6, 6-3, making the final score 4-1.

Belgium and France also won by the same score against Germany and Japan respectively while Serbia won their clash with Russia 4-0, with the final rubber not played.

One match is still to be decided as defending champions Argentina's clash with Italy will require a fourth day tomorrow.

The decision came after an epic five set battle between Carlos Berlocq and Paolo Lorenzi did not finish until late in the day in Buenos Aires.

Berlocq came out on top 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to level the tie 2-2.

The deciding singles rubber will be between Guido Pella and Andreas Seppi.