Ben Shelton Wimbledon Match Suspended Darkness Serving Win

American tennis star Ben Shelton was on the verge of winning his second-round Wimbledon match against Rinky Hijikata when play was suspended due to darkness despite both players having requested the stoppage earlier. Shelton, the 10th seed, led 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 and was about to serve for the match when officials halted play on Court No. 2, which lacks lighting, causing Shelton to express frustration and challenge the decision. Wimbledon officials cited poor light and the inability to move the match to a lit court as reasons for the suspension, even though other courts with roofs and lights remained empty. This delay forces Shelton to return on Friday to complete the match, disrupting his schedule and denying him a full day off. Shelton remains a rising American tennis talent, having reached Grand Slam semifinals earlier in 2025, and is favored to advance further in the tournament after this match. The suspension parallels other recent light-related interruptions at Wimbledon, highlighting ongoing challenges with scheduling and court lighting at the All England Club.