It was day for this ball girl as Novak Djokovic counters back a swing from Fernando Verdasco in the US Open.

It’s the second round.

Verdasco is up 7 to Djokovic’s 6. Verdasco, in white shorts, throws the tennis ball up and serves it to Djokovic. The ball slams in to the tennis net. The crowd remains silent.

Verdasco receives another tennis ball and prepares to serve it better and with more ferocity this time. He bounces it on the ground a few times. And then he serves.

Over the net it goes. Djokovic doesn’t miss a beat. He doesn’t miss the ball girl kneeling at the center of the court, either.

Djokovic sends the ball, striking the ball girl and knocking her hat off. He immediately looks in shock as to what’s about to happen as the ball goes in the ball girl’s direction.

Replays of Verdasco shows him cringing at the moment of impact.

Djokovic instantly places his face in his palms in disbelief and a bit of embarrassment.

You can hear a commentator say, “What did she do to deserve that?”

After a second or two of gathering his thoughts he walks over to the young lady and gives her a reassuring hug.

She places her hat back on and stands up to meet him with a smile letting all know she is okay.

One commentator can be heard saying, “Awwwwww,” in admiration. She reassures the umpire that everything is fine with a huge smile.

Another commentator jokes, “Really! I won’t drop any more balls today.”

Tennis balls have been clocked at incredible speeds when served. Venus Williams holds the record for world’s fastest tennis ball served among women with a serve clocked at 127.4 mph. Bill Tilden holds the record among men with a speed clocked at 163.6 mph.

The average speed for speed for women is between 82 mph – 98 mph. For men, the average is 93 mph – 114 mph.

So taking a serve to the head and not being seriously hurt is a feat in itself.

As Djokovic gets himself together by taking a short drink and then switching sides, the commentator says, “Well that’s an embarrassing moment, for both…player and baall girl.”

With the players on opposite ends, everyone takes their place. Djokovic bounces the ball twice and serves. The ball goes straight into the net.

The now-famous ball girl scurries across the tennis court and scoops up the ball and then exits hastily on the other side, making a straight line to the baseline.

The crowd erupts in applause as she makes it safely to the other side. Djokovic pauses to acknowledge her courage and to make sure she’s okay.

The crowd erupts in laughter.

The ball girl, now with her colleague, joins in with the laughter and shakes her head as to say, “Never again.”

The commentator mentions that this moment will make the highlight reel.

Djokovic’s next serve clears the net and meets Verdasco’s racket on the other end of the court as the game continues.