Ben Shelton protests as his Wimbledon match with Rinky Hijikata is suspended with American set to serve for victory
Updated 04/07/2025 at 08:32 GMT+1
Ben Shelton was just one game from victory at Wimbledon on Thursday when his match against Rinky Hijikata was suspended. Shelton was clearly angry at the decision to halt due to fading light, especially as the issue had been discussed at the start of the third set and then three games later. The pair will return on Friday to get their second-round match finished.
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Ben Shelton remonstrated with officials at Wimbledon on Thursday night as his match was suspended at 9:30pm, with the American about to serve for victory.
Shelton was on the verge of beating Australia's Rinky Hijikata, leading 6-2 7-5 5-4 when the match was suspended due to fading light.
One official had to step between a seemingly irate Shelton and the umpire on No. 2 Court, as the crowd also voiced their obvious displeasure.
Shelton and Hijikata had discussed the match being suspended at the start of the third set and again three games later - but officials told them to play on.
The conditions on court were a concern for both players but they carried on, until Shelton had moved to the brink of victory.
It will add to his frustrations that he failed to convert three match points on the Hijikata serve in the previous game.
The pair will return on Friday to finish the match.
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Issues over play stopping at night have been a theme of the opening week of this year's Wimbledon.
On Monday, Taylor Fritz was told to halt his match at 10:20pm, rather than immediately heading into a fifth set against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Fritz believed there was time to get the match finished on No. 1 Court before the 11pm curfew.
The opening week of Wimbledon - with highlights every night on TNT Sports and discovery+ - has so far been played almost exclusively in hot sunshine.
Similar weather is forecast for Friday, although it looks to be more unsettled over the weekend.
Watch the Wimbledon singles finals and daily 90-minute highlights shows live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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