American Ben Shelton took just 69 seconds to complete his second-round match against Rinky Hijikata in a bizarre Wimbledon sideshow on Court Two.
Shelton, the 10th seed, was one game from victory on Thursday evening when umpire Nacho Forcadell called a halt to the match due to fading light at 9.29pm.
The pair returned on Friday afternoon and after going through the standard five-minute warm-up, Shelton began with an ace.
His next serve was wide, but Australian Hijikata’s return on the second serve was long.
Two more aces followed to wrap up a 6-2 7-5 6-4 win in just over a minute, around 18 hours after the match started.
“I thought it was a great match,” smiled the 22-year-old. “Thanks to everybody for staying late, and for coming back.
“I was hoping to hit a few groundstrokes, so I might have to go back to the practice courts.
“I missed one first serve, so some things to be upset about and improve for the next round.”
Getting the job done 💪#Wimbledon | @BenShelton pic.twitter.com/r6eCzdx6KI
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2025
Shelton later revealed the umpire told him the match had to be suspended because the electronic line calling would stop working as it got darker.
“He said it was a five-minute warning until the Hawk-Eye was going down,” said Shelton.
“That was including the changeover, so there wouldn’t be enough time to complete the game.
“I was telling him ‘I only need 60 seconds’. That’s kind of what my goal was when I went out there today.”
Shelton will face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the third round.
Wimbledon 2025: Men’s and Women’s seeds list and tracker
Sonay Kartal breaks new ground with brilliant Wimbledon win
Raducanu v Sabalenka – Wimbledon LIVE: Tennis scores as Kartal superbly beats Parry
Jack Draper pinpoints areas for improvement after Wimbledon disappointment
Which British tennis players are still playing singles at Wimbledon?
