Saved by the dark: Rinky's great Wimbledon escape
As his match with 10th seed Ben Shelton approached its finish on No.2 Court with the American in total control late on Thursday evening, Sydneysider Hijikata was on the brink of defeat at 2-6 5-7 3-5 and 0-40 down.
Yet Australia's world No.87 then fought tigerishly to win the five next points and stay in the hunt, by which time it was 9.30pm and had become so dark on a court without floodlighting that Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell insisted he had to call a suspension.
Shelton was furious, being told he would not be given one last chance to serve out for the match. The left-hander, who has one of the biggest deliveries in the game, had previously not dropped his serve all match.
While he complained, and the courtside supervisor stepped in quickly, Hijikata had already swiftly sped away to complete his great escape, knowing he can return on Friday afternoon to try to rescue what, in truth, still looks close to a lost cause.
The most ridiculous aspect of the affair was that after he had taken his two-set lead at 8.40pm, the dominant Shelton had already queried with Forcadell whether there was enough time to complete the match.
The 22-year-old American also pointed out it was beginning to be slippery at the back of the court and seemed as if he would have been happy for the match to be postponed at that point.
Hijikata, perhaps playing for time, had meanwhile disappeared for a strategic comfort break and when the 24-year-old Australian returned, he didn't seem overly enthused about them playing on.
Indeed, after slipping on the grass at 1-3 down, he pointedly told Forcadell: "No mate, you're not the one out there running and moving."
Battling Rinky Hijikata has lived to fight another day at Wimbledon after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial suspension of play amid farcical scenes as darkness descended.
As his match with 10th seed Ben Shelton approached its finish on No.2 Court with the American in total control late on Thursday evening, Sydneysider Hijikata was on the brink of defeat at 2-6 5-7 3-5 and 0-40 down.
Yet Australia's world No.87 then fought tigerishly to win the five next points and stay in the hunt, by which time it was 9.30pm and had become so dark on a court without floodlighting that Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell insisted he had to call a suspension.
Shelton was furious, being told he would not be given one last chance to serve out for the match. The left-hander, who has one of the biggest deliveries in the game, had previously not dropped his serve all match.
While he complained, and the courtside supervisor stepped in quickly, Hijikata had already swiftly sped away to complete his great escape, knowing he can return on Friday afternoon to try to rescue what, in truth, still looks close to a lost cause.
The most ridiculous aspect of the affair was that after he had taken his two-set lead at 8.40pm, the dominant Shelton had already queried with Forcadell whether there was enough time to complete the match.
The 22-year-old American also pointed out it was beginning to be slippery at the back of the court and seemed as if he would have been happy for the match to be postponed at that point.
Hijikata, perhaps playing for time, had meanwhile disappeared for a strategic comfort break and when the 24-year-old Australian returned, he didn't seem overly enthused about them playing on.
Indeed, after slipping on the grass at 1-3 down, he pointedly told Forcadell: "No mate, you're not the one out there running and moving."
Battling Rinky Hijikata has lived to fight another day at Wimbledon after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial suspension of play amid farcical scenes as darkness descended.
As his match with 10th seed Ben Shelton approached its finish on No.2 Court with the American in total control late on Thursday evening, Sydneysider Hijikata was on the brink of defeat at 2-6 5-7 3-5 and 0-40 down.
Yet Australia's world No.87 then fought tigerishly to win the five next points and stay in the hunt, by which time it was 9.30pm and had become so dark on a court without floodlighting that Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell insisted he had to call a suspension.
Shelton was furious, being told he would not be given one last chance to serve out for the match. The left-hander, who has one of the biggest deliveries in the game, had previously not dropped his serve all match.
While he complained, and the courtside supervisor stepped in quickly, Hijikata had already swiftly sped away to complete his great escape, knowing he can return on Friday afternoon to try to rescue what, in truth, still looks close to a lost cause.
The most ridiculous aspect of the affair was that after he had taken his two-set lead at 8.40pm, the dominant Shelton had already queried with Forcadell whether there was enough time to complete the match.
The 22-year-old American also pointed out it was beginning to be slippery at the back of the court and seemed as if he would have been happy for the match to be postponed at that point.
Hijikata, perhaps playing for time, had meanwhile disappeared for a strategic comfort break and when the 24-year-old Australian returned, he didn't seem overly enthused about them playing on.
Indeed, after slipping on the grass at 1-3 down, he pointedly told Forcadell: "No mate, you're not the one out there running and moving."
Battling Rinky Hijikata has lived to fight another day at Wimbledon after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial suspension of play amid farcical scenes as darkness descended.
As his match with 10th seed Ben Shelton approached its finish on No.2 Court with the American in total control late on Thursday evening, Sydneysider Hijikata was on the brink of defeat at 2-6 5-7 3-5 and 0-40 down.
Yet Australia's world No.87 then fought tigerishly to win the five next points and stay in the hunt, by which time it was 9.30pm and had become so dark on a court without floodlighting that Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell insisted he had to call a suspension.
Shelton was furious, being told he would not be given one last chance to serve out for the match. The left-hander, who has one of the biggest deliveries in the game, had previously not dropped his serve all match.
While he complained, and the courtside supervisor stepped in quickly, Hijikata had already swiftly sped away to complete his great escape, knowing he can return on Friday afternoon to try to rescue what, in truth, still looks close to a lost cause.
The most ridiculous aspect of the affair was that after he had taken his two-set lead at 8.40pm, the dominant Shelton had already queried with Forcadell whether there was enough time to complete the match.
The 22-year-old American also pointed out it was beginning to be slippery at the back of the court and seemed as if he would have been happy for the match to be postponed at that point.
Hijikata, perhaps playing for time, had meanwhile disappeared for a strategic comfort break and when the 24-year-old Australian returned, he didn't seem overly enthused about them playing on.
Indeed, after slipping on the grass at 1-3 down, he pointedly told Forcadell: "No mate, you're not the one out there running and moving."
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Favourites progress at Wimbledon, but suffer first
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The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World No.1 and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. 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The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." 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Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. "In some moments I just ... kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarter-final of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting ... I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World No.1 and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. "In some moments I just ... kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarter-final of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting ... I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'People were worried': How Joe Schmidt saved Lions tour
Ireland legend Johnny Sexton has credited his former coach Joe Schmidt with turning around the Wallabies' fortunes - and saving a once-in-12-years Lions tour from irrelevance. The British and Irish Lions are set for the toughest test of their tour yet when they take on Australia's top Super side, the ACT Brumbies, in Canberra on Wednesday night. Having blown the Queensland Reds and Western Force out of the water before a tussle with the NSW Waratahs, the Brumbies - albeit undermanned - are expected to challenge the tourists. It's a stark change from 18 months ago, when the hapless Wallabies were at rock bottom after their earliest exit from a World Cup and the messy resignation of coach Eddie Jones. While the Wallabies are by no means favourites to win the three-Test series, New Zealand-born Schmidt has righted the ship and brought belief back to the side. They have suffered a huge blow with the loss of first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio following surgery but Schmidt has backed other playmakers Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson. Although they remain a lowly eighth in the world rankings, the Wallabies showed promise in last year's tour of the British Isles, beating England and Wales and falling narrowly to Ireland. Sexton was not surprised Schmidt managed to draw the best out of the Wallabies after guiding his Irish side to the top of the rankings in a stellar stint from 2013 to 2019. "He's a smart guy. Obviously, I've got a great relationship with him. But he's doing a great job with Australia, I think," said Lions assistant coach Sexton. "You know, 18 months ago, people were worried about this tour, and now it's all to play for. It's fantastic for the series." Lions head coach Andy Farrell also knows Schmidt's coaching style inside out, having served as his assistant in the Ireland set-up from 2016 to 2019. "They got on great off the pitch, you know, they were bouncing off each other; good cop, bad cop," Sexton said. "They dovetailed well. Joe was always the bad cop. Andy was sometimes good, sometimes bad, but they were brilliant together. "They knew how to push the buttons of that team, in particular. You could tell that they were in it together. "And I'd say Andy learned a lot from Joe, but then at the same time, he's come in and he's changed a lot, evolved things. "And that's always what you want, isn't it? Because if you went and tried to imitate Joe, people would see through." With Wallabies great Stephen Larkham at the helm, a torrid Brumbies test awaits before the coaching trio's reunion. Near-freezing temperatures and dewy conditions are expected on Wednesday night, with the Brumbies likely to use their strong line speed to make it hard for the Lions on the ball, Sexton said. "They're a very good team, probably the best Australian franchise," he said. "They've put in a lot of good performances against us in the past, and we expect no different tomorrow." The Brumbies are the only Australian Super Rugby team to have beaten the Lions, overcoming a Sexton-less side 14-12 in 2013. Ireland legend Johnny Sexton has credited his former coach Joe Schmidt with turning around the Wallabies' fortunes - and saving a once-in-12-years Lions tour from irrelevance. The British and Irish Lions are set for the toughest test of their tour yet when they take on Australia's top Super side, the ACT Brumbies, in Canberra on Wednesday night. Having blown the Queensland Reds and Western Force out of the water before a tussle with the NSW Waratahs, the Brumbies - albeit undermanned - are expected to challenge the tourists. It's a stark change from 18 months ago, when the hapless Wallabies were at rock bottom after their earliest exit from a World Cup and the messy resignation of coach Eddie Jones. While the Wallabies are by no means favourites to win the three-Test series, New Zealand-born Schmidt has righted the ship and brought belief back to the side. They have suffered a huge blow with the loss of first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio following surgery but Schmidt has backed other playmakers Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson. Although they remain a lowly eighth in the world rankings, the Wallabies showed promise in last year's tour of the British Isles, beating England and Wales and falling narrowly to Ireland. Sexton was not surprised Schmidt managed to draw the best out of the Wallabies after guiding his Irish side to the top of the rankings in a stellar stint from 2013 to 2019. "He's a smart guy. Obviously, I've got a great relationship with him. But he's doing a great job with Australia, I think," said Lions assistant coach Sexton. "You know, 18 months ago, people were worried about this tour, and now it's all to play for. It's fantastic for the series." Lions head coach Andy Farrell also knows Schmidt's coaching style inside out, having served as his assistant in the Ireland set-up from 2016 to 2019. "They got on great off the pitch, you know, they were bouncing off each other; good cop, bad cop," Sexton said. "They dovetailed well. Joe was always the bad cop. Andy was sometimes good, sometimes bad, but they were brilliant together. "They knew how to push the buttons of that team, in particular. You could tell that they were in it together. "And I'd say Andy learned a lot from Joe, but then at the same time, he's come in and he's changed a lot, evolved things. "And that's always what you want, isn't it? Because if you went and tried to imitate Joe, people would see through." With Wallabies great Stephen Larkham at the helm, a torrid Brumbies test awaits before the coaching trio's reunion. Near-freezing temperatures and dewy conditions are expected on Wednesday night, with the Brumbies likely to use their strong line speed to make it hard for the Lions on the ball, Sexton said. "They're a very good team, probably the best Australian franchise," he said. "They've put in a lot of good performances against us in the past, and we expect no different tomorrow." The Brumbies are the only Australian Super Rugby team to have beaten the Lions, overcoming a Sexton-less side 14-12 in 2013. Ireland legend Johnny Sexton has credited his former coach Joe Schmidt with turning around the Wallabies' fortunes - and saving a once-in-12-years Lions tour from irrelevance. The British and Irish Lions are set for the toughest test of their tour yet when they take on Australia's top Super side, the ACT Brumbies, in Canberra on Wednesday night. Having blown the Queensland Reds and Western Force out of the water before a tussle with the NSW Waratahs, the Brumbies - albeit undermanned - are expected to challenge the tourists. It's a stark change from 18 months ago, when the hapless Wallabies were at rock bottom after their earliest exit from a World Cup and the messy resignation of coach Eddie Jones. While the Wallabies are by no means favourites to win the three-Test series, New Zealand-born Schmidt has righted the ship and brought belief back to the side. They have suffered a huge blow with the loss of first-choice flyhalf Noah Lolesio following surgery but Schmidt has backed other playmakers Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson. Although they remain a lowly eighth in the world rankings, the Wallabies showed promise in last year's tour of the British Isles, beating England and Wales and falling narrowly to Ireland. Sexton was not surprised Schmidt managed to draw the best out of the Wallabies after guiding his Irish side to the top of the rankings in a stellar stint from 2013 to 2019. "He's a smart guy. Obviously, I've got a great relationship with him. But he's doing a great job with Australia, I think," said Lions assistant coach Sexton. "You know, 18 months ago, people were worried about this tour, and now it's all to play for. It's fantastic for the series." Lions head coach Andy Farrell also knows Schmidt's coaching style inside out, having served as his assistant in the Ireland set-up from 2016 to 2019. "They got on great off the pitch, you know, they were bouncing off each other; good cop, bad cop," Sexton said. "They dovetailed well. Joe was always the bad cop. Andy was sometimes good, sometimes bad, but they were brilliant together. "They knew how to push the buttons of that team, in particular. You could tell that they were in it together. "And I'd say Andy learned a lot from Joe, but then at the same time, he's come in and he's changed a lot, evolved things. "And that's always what you want, isn't it? Because if you went and tried to imitate Joe, people would see through." With Wallabies great Stephen Larkham at the helm, a torrid Brumbies test awaits before the coaching trio's reunion. Near-freezing temperatures and dewy conditions are expected on Wednesday night, with the Brumbies likely to use their strong line speed to make it hard for the Lions on the ball, Sexton said. "They're a very good team, probably the best Australian franchise," he said. "They've put in a lot of good performances against us in the past, and we expect no different tomorrow." The Brumbies are the only Australian Super Rugby team to have beaten the Lions, overcoming a Sexton-less side 14-12 in 2013.
