Two-time grand slam semi-finalist Ben Shelton’s second-round match at Wimbledon was suspended because of fading light with him a game away from beating Australian Rinky Hijikata.
The 10th-seeded Shelton was about to serve for the match while leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 when action was halted at No.2 Court, which does not have a roof or artificial lights.
Shelton, a 22-year-old American, had just held three match points in the previous game, up 5-3 and 0-40 as Hijikata served.
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But the 87th-ranked Australian grabbed the next five points in a row to extend the contest.
It was at the that point officials brought proceedings to a conclusion much to the chagrin of the American and the crowd.
As it was announced the match would be finished the next day, the American pointed his finger at the chair umpire as the supervisor tried to get between them and usher him away.
Ben Shelton had to be held back by the supervisor. Stan
The American will have to resume play later tonight AEST. Stan
“He’s not happy,” said Robbie Koenig in commentary.
While Shelton was raging about the decision, Hijikata, who fought off three match points to bring the match to 5-4 in the third, grabbed his bag and walked off as the crowd continued to express their displeasure over the decision.
“You’ve got to applaud the grit and determination and attitude of Hijikata. He faced three match points then reeled off five points in a row. He lives to fight another day,” Commentator Ryan Harrison said.
Watch all the action from Wimbledon 2025 live & on-demand on Stan Sport, with two courts in 4K UHD. Coverage of select matches free-to-air on Nine and streaming on 9Now
Play was stopped at 9.30pm local time. They will resume on Friday night AEST.
Márton Fucsovics was leading 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 0-0 against Gael Monfils when their match was also suspended.
Earlier in the week Taylor Fritz ‘s match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard had to be finished the following day, despite 45 minutes of playing time left.
Elsewhere, top-ranked Jannik Sinner moved into Wimbledon’s third round with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic on centre court.
Jannik Sinner of Italy shakes hands with Aleksandar Vukic of Australia. Getty
Sinner had 38 winners and just 11 unforced errors in the 1-hour, 40-minute match and saved all four break points he faced.
The owner of three grand slam titles advanced to face 52nd-ranked Pedro Martinez of Spain in the next round.
Wimbledon is the only major tournament where Sinner has yet to reach a final; he lost in the 2023 semi-finals at the All England Club.
He won the Australian Open each of the past two years, won the US Open last September and was the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland-Garros last month.
