Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star ranked No. 10 in the world, displayed an impressive performance at the Wimbledon Championships, showcasing both his skill and his capacity to handle pressure in a high-stakes environment. His second-round match against Rinky Hijikata was particularly notable not only for its competitive nature but also for its unusual interruption. The match had to be suspended due to fading light when Shelton was just one game away from securing victory, leading to a temporary halt that naturally heightened tensions.
When play resumed, Shelton wasted no time in sealing his win against Hijikata, completing the match in a mere 71 seconds. This rapid conclusion was in stark contrast to the substantial warm-up period he undertook, clocking in at five minutes—an astonishing duration considering the entirety of his second-round match had lasted only two hours and eleven minutes the previous evening. The brief interlude turned into a comical yet tense moment, as the young athlete was left visibly frustrated by the overnight delay, expressing his displeasure to the umpire at the late hour of 21:29 UK time when play was originally halted.
However, on the afternoon following the suspension, Shelton expressed nothing but joy. With remarkable poise, he slammed three aces past Hijikata and relied on an unreturned second serve to swiftly move ahead into the third round of the tournament. He maintained an unblemished service game throughout the encounter, signifying his dominance; he did, however, experience a dramatic moment the previous evening when he found himself up 40-0 in what was to become a critical game. Unable to capitalize on three match points, he faltered and allowed Hijikata to stave off defeat, leading to a brief extension of the match.
Following his victory, Shelton graciously addressed the spectators at Wimbledon, offering an apology for the lack of tennis they witnessed during the delayed period of the second round. “I’m sorry that you guys didn’t really get to see much tennis,” he remarked during his post-match interview. He expressed a genuine hope that the remaining matches of the day—and importantly his own future matches—would provide a more thrilling showcase of the sport. With a hint of humor about the situation, he added, “I was hoping to maybe hit a few groundstrokes today! I might have to go to the practice courts.”
Shelton continued to compliment Hijikata’s performance, acknowledging the challenges posed and praising the turnout from the crowd, which he noted contributed to the electric atmosphere of the match. “My shot-making was really hot last night, the crowd was in it with me,” he reflected, highlighting the supportive fan presence that accompanied him during his challenging contest.
As the tournament progresses, Shelton’s next challenge will be against Marton Fucsovics, who has been performing well, coming back from behind to defeat the veteran player Gael Monfils in a gripping five-set match, with scores of 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. This upcoming face-off against the world No. 105 will be an exciting match for tennis aficionados, as both players are expected to bring their best to the court in pursuit of a place in the later stages of Wimbledon.
Fans and viewers can look forward to more thrilling tennis action, with the finals and daily highlights being broadcasted live on platforms like TNT Sports and discovery+, ensuring that the excitement of Wimbledon continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
