Ben Shelton (With One Game Left To Win) Has Wimbledon Match Suspended Due to Dark Skies: WATCH

Last Updated:July 04, 2025, 16:57 IST

Ben Shelton's Wimbledon match against Rinky Hijikata was suspended due to fading light, with Shelton leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4.

A frustrated Ben Shelton at Wimbledon (AP)

Two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Ben Shelton saw his Wimbledon second-round match suspended Thursday night due to fading light, just one game away from sealing a win over Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.

The 10th-seeded American was preparing to serve for the match, leading 6–2, 7–5, 5–4, when play was halted on No. 2 Court at 9:30 p.m. local time. The court, which lacks a roof and floodlights, could not accommodate the closing stages of the match under worsening visibility.

Moments earlier, Shelton had held three match points on Hijikata’s serve at 5–3, love-40. But the 87th-ranked Australian held his nerve, rattling off five straight points to hold serve and extend the contest—just before officials made the call to suspend play for the night. The match will resume on Friday.

Shelton, Fans Frustrated by Sudden Halt

As the decision to stop the match was announced, fans voiced their displeasure with loud boos. Shelton, visibly frustrated, approached the chair umpire to protest, emphasizing that only one game remained. A tournament official quickly stepped in, gently restraining the 22-year-old as emotions flared.

Even the broadcast team was caught off guard. ESPN commentators labeled the move “unbelievable" and “poorly handled," while analyst James Blake criticized the timing, saying organizers could have either paused earlier or allowed one final game to conclude the match.

Despite the abrupt end and visible frustration, Shelton acknowledged the crowd’s support with a raised fist and a warm thank you as he exited the court.

Later, he summed up his feelings in a short but pointed social media post:

“They ain’t wanna see anything else from me tonight, but I’ll see y’all tomorrow."

Shelton must now reset mentally and return Friday to close out what had nearly been a straight-sets victory. His challenge will be to reclaim momentum and avoid giving Hijikata any opening for a comeback under clearer skies.

Shelton reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2023 and has since made semifinal runs at both the 2023 U.S. Open and the 2025 Australian Open. Known for his explosive left-handed serve and fearless play, Shelton continues to grow into one of the sport’s rising stars.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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News sports Ben Shelton (With One Game Left To Win) Has Wimbledon Match Suspended Due to Dark Skies: WATCH