Fourth seed Ben Shelton has suffered a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon, losing to a qualifier.
World No 140 Otto Virtanen pulled off the upset of the tournament so far and later claimed his heart ‘bounced out of my body’ given the nerves and exhilaration of the affair.
It was a huge surprise for Shelton, who led 8-5 in a fifth-set tie-break at the end of a marathon clash lasting four hours and 24 minutes.
Shelton is the biggest seed to fall so far after the 11th and 12th men were knocked out on Monday, in Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev. Virtanen ultimately won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(9).
Finnish player Virtanen was a crowd favourite on Court No 2 but might go from hero to zero on Thursday as he will now play British hopeful Arthur Fery, who came through 3-1 against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur earlier on Tuesday.
Virtanen said on court: ‘I don’t know if I have a heart anymore. It probably bounced out of my body, but I’m here. I played til the last moment because of you all.
Fourth seed Ben Shelton has suffered a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon
World No 140 Otto Virtanen pulled off the upset of the tournament so far against the American
The 23-year-old big-server, who stands at 6ft 4in, was a significant hope for the United States
‘I had a great month before this one. I played a lot of grass matches. Always enjoyed playing here. Last year I unfortunately missed it due to injury. But two years ago I had a great time here. You know, it feels sooo good to be back here.’
It continues a worrying year for Shelton who lost in the second round at Roland Garros last month and has struggled in other Slams and Masters 1000s events.
The 23-year-old big-server, who stands at 6ft 4in, was a significant hope for the United States as they look for a first Wimbledon men’s champion since Pete Sampras in 2000.
Countryman Taylor Fritz started his campaign in style, though, beating lucky loser Dusan Lajovic in straight sets on Court No 1 as he looks to better his semi-final finish of last year.
The sixth seed, who had been due to face Briton Jack Draper before he pulled out injured, said: ‘It’s almost like I know there is no doubt when I step on the court that I’m going to play to a certain level, I’m going to play well.
‘I just bring a bit more confidence. I like to play. A bit more nervy, kind of more similar to what it feels like when I play the US Open, play Australia. I took the week off before I played those ones as well but was able to play good tennis.’
