- Was staring down the barrel of a swift Wimbledon exit
- Play was officially suspended at 9.29pm local time
- Chair umpire Nacho Forcadell pointed to bad light
- US star Ben Shelton was about to serve for the match
Aussie Rinky Hijikata has lived to fight another day at Wimbledon after saving three match points and then being reprieved by a controversial suspension of play amid farcical scenes as darkness descended.
As his second round match with 10th seed Ben Shelton approached its finish on No.2 Court with the American in total control late on Thursday evening, Hijikata was on the brink of defeat at 2-6 5-7 3-5 and 0-40 down.
Yet Australia’s world No.87 then fought tigerishly to win the next five points and stay in the hunt, by which time it was almost 9.30pm.
Conditions had become so dark on court without floodlighting that Spanish chair umpire Nacho Forcadell insisted he had to call a suspension.
Shelton was furious, being told he would not be given one last chance to serve out for the match.
The left-hander had previously not dropped his serve all match.
While he complained, and the courtside supervisor stepped in quickly, Hijikata had already swiftly sped away to complete his great escape, knowing he can return on Friday to try and rescue what looks to be a lost cause.
The most ridiculous aspect of the affair was that after he had taken his two-set lead at 8.40pm, the dominant Shelton had already queried with Forcadell whether there was enough time to complete the match.
Aussie Rinky Hijikata has lived to fight another day at Wimbledon after saving three match points – before farcical scenes followed in his second round match against US star Ben Shelton
Play was suspended at 9.29pm local time as umpire Nacho Forcadell pointed to bad light (Ben Shelton is pictured)
The 22-year-old American also pointed out it was beginning to be slippery at the back of the court and seemed as if he would have been happy for the match to be postponed at that point.
Hijikata, perhaps playing for time, had meanwhile disappeared for a strategic comfort break.
When the 24-year-old returned, he didn’t seem overly enthused about playing on.
Indeed, after slipping on the grass at 1-3 down, he pointedly told Forcadell: ‘No mate, you’re not the one out there running and moving.’
Elsewhere, fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur ousted Frenchman Arthur Cazaux and top seed Jannik Sinner outclassed Sydney raised Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets.
In the women’s section, Australia’s 16th seed Daria Kasatkina progressed to the third round after beating Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.
Kasatkina will next face 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova.
