### Wimbledon 2025: Ben Shelton's Controversial Match Suspension and Swift Victory Ben Shelton's second-round match against Rinky Hijikata at Wimbledon 2025 was marked by controversy when it was suspended due to fading light, just as Shelton was poised to serve for the match. The decision to halt play sparked outrage among fans and left Shelton visibly frustrated. However, the match resumed the following morning, where Shelton quickly wrapped up the victory in just one minute, needing only four points to secure his place in the third round. ### Breakdown of Events Surrounding Shelton's Match 1. **Match Suspension**: - The match was suspended on July 3, 2025, with Shelton leading 6-2, 7-5, and 5-4, just one game away from victory. The umpire, Nacho Forcadell, made the call due to fading light on Court 2, which lacks a roof or artificial lighting [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/ben-shelton-wimbledon-play-suspended-rinky-hijikata-b2782472.html]. - Shelton expressed his frustration over the decision, stating it was "unbelievable" to suspend play when he was so close to winning [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/ben-shelton-wimbledon-play-suspended-rinky-hijikata-b2782472.html]. 2. **Resumption and Quick Victory**: - The match resumed on July 4, 2025, where Shelton completed the victory in just one minute, finishing with a score of 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 [https://apnews.com/article/wimbledon-2025-shelton-hijikata-resumes-d1c278ea0609f13377459810597b6dac]. - This rapid conclusion highlighted the absurdity of the previous suspension, as Shelton needed only four points to finalize the match [https://www.themirror.com/sport/tennis/ben-shelton-wimbledon-win-seconds-1245658]. 3. **Fan Reactions**: - Fans expressed their outrage over the suspension, with many stating that Wimbledon should be "ashamed" of the decision, especially given that Shelton was on the verge of winning [https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-wimbledon-ashamed-fans-infuriated-ben-shelton-s-match-controversially-suspended-win-one-game-away]. - The crowd's reaction during the suspension was notably negative, with boos directed at the umpire's decision [https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/04/wimbledon-star-held-back-umpire-crowd-boo-embarrassing-decision-23575070]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Match Statistics**: - **Final Score**: 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 - **Time to Finish**: 1 minute - **Points Needed to Win**: 4 points - **Context of Suspension**: - **Date of Suspension**: July 3, 2025 - **Match Status at Suspension**: Shelton leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4, serving for the match [https://wtop.com/sports/2025/07/wimbledon-ben-shelton-is-1-game-away-from-winning-when-his-match-is-suspended-because-of-darkness]. ### Conclusion: A Tale of Frustration and Swift Resolution In summary, Ben Shelton's second-round match at Wimbledon 2025 was marred by a controversial suspension that left him and fans frustrated. The decision to halt play while he was on the brink of victory raised questions about the tournament's rules regarding light conditions. However, Shelton's ability to quickly finish the match the next day underscored the absurdity of the situation. 1. **Suspension of Play**: The match was controversially suspended due to fading light, with Shelton just one game away from victory. 2. **Quick Resumption**: Shelton completed the match in just one minute, needing only four points to win. 3. **Fan Outrage**: The decision to suspend play drew significant criticism from fans and observers alike. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced in professional sports, particularly in outdoor settings where conditions can change rapidly.