Tennis star rages as match stopped one game away from victory
Two-time grand slam semifinalist Ben Shelton has been left fuming after his second-round match at Wimbledon was suspended because of fading light with him a game away from beating Aussie 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.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Ben Shelton fumes as Wimbledon match suspended.
Shelton, a 22-year-old American, had just held three match points in the previous game, up 5-3 and love-40 as Hijikata served.
But the 87th-ranked Australian grabbed the next five points in a row to extend the contest.
Play was then stopped at 9:30pm local time, which sent Shelton and the crowd into a spin. Ben Shelton was left fuming when his match was suspended. Credit: Getty
The decision was made 90 minutes before the controversial curfew, but officials made the call based on poor light.
Shelton could be seen pointing and yelling at the chair umpire and the tournament official, while the crowd watched on in disbelief.
'He's not happy,' Robbie Koenig said in commentary.
While Shelton argued the point, Hijikata quickly left the court after miraculously extending the match.
'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.
They will resume on Friday.
Hijikata has never been beyond the second round at Wimbledon
Shelton reached the fourth round at the All England Club a year ago and reached the semifinals at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open.
- With AP
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