Ben Shelton Wimbledon Match Suspended Due to Darkness One Game from Win

Ben Shelton's Wimbledon second-round match against Rinky Hijikata was suspended due to fading light just as Shelton was about to serve for the match, with the American leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 on No. 2 Court, which lacks a roof and lighting. Shelton had earlier missed three match points on Hijikata's serve, allowing the Australian to extend the contest before play was halted at 9:30 p.m. The decision to stop play was met with frustration from Shelton, who protested to officials and was visibly upset, while fans booed the suspension. Tournament officials cited poor light and the inability to move the match to a different court with lighting as reasons for the suspension, despite other nearby courts with roofs and lights remaining unused. The match is set to resume the following day, disrupting Shelton's schedule and rest, but he acknowledged the crowd's support before leaving the court. Broadcasters and analysts criticized the timing and handling of the suspension, suggesting the match could have been paused earlier or allowed to finish before darkness fell.