Ben Shelton kicked off his 2025 Wimbledon campaign with an impressive straight-set victory over Australian Alex Bolt, winning 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 on No. 2 Court. The American’s booming serve proved too much for Bolt, as Shelton fired 15 aces with a fastest serve of 236 km/h (147 mph), tying for the third-fastest serve recorded in the tournament so far.
Shelton won 78% of his first serves and saved one of the two break points he faced, demonstrating the confidence and composure expected of a top-10 ATP player. Despite Bolt being a grass-court specialist with over 130 professional matches on the surface, Shelton’s power game, particularly his left-handed serve, gave him the clear edge.
Next Up: Rinky Hijikata
In Round 2, Shelton will face another Australian, World No. 87 Rinky Hijikata, on Thursday. The match is scheduled as the fifth and final match on No. 2 Court, with an estimated start time around 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time, depending on earlier matches’ durations.
The two players have met three times before, with Shelton leading their head-to-head 2-1. Their last encounter was on grass at the Mallorca Championships in 2024, where Shelton cruised to a dominant 6-4, 6-0 win. Hijikata’s sole victory against Shelton came in 2022 at a hard-court Challenger event.
Hijikata enters the match with confidence after defeating David Goffin in straight sets in Round 1. However, analysts give Shelton a 69% chance of victory, thanks to his strong grass-court form and powerful first serve, which wins him 76% of points on average.
What to Watch For
- Serve and Return Battle: Shelton’s massive serves vs. Hijikata’s solid returns.
- Early Momentum: Hijikata tends to start aggressively; Shelton will need to remain composed under early pressure.
- Court Movement: Shelton’s athleticism could create opportunities to exploit Hijikata in longer rallies, while the Aussie might try to rush the net to keep points short.
Shelton’s Grand Slam Form
The 21-year-old American has had a stellar Grand Slam season so far, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and the Round of 16 at Roland Garros. At Wimbledon last year, Shelton made it to the Round of 16, defeating Mattia Bellucci, Lloyd Harris, and Denis Shapovalov before falling to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Shelton’s progress this year highlights his rapid rise in the ATP rankings. If he beats Hijikata, he will face either Gael Monfils or Marton Fucsovics in Round 3. Looking further ahead, potential quarterfinal opponents include Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz – two players he is yet to overcome on the biggest stages.
How to Watch Shelton vs. Hijikata
- Time: Thursday, approximately 6-8 p.m. ET (final match on No. 2 Court)
- TV: ESPN (live whip-around coverage)
- Streaming: ESPN app and website, ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, FuboTV
Shelton’s powerful grass-court game and improved consistency could propel him deeper into Wimbledon this year. As he aims to become the next great American champion, all eyes will be on whether he can convert his explosive potential into a breakthrough Grand Slam performance.
Who will Ben Shelton play in the second round of Wimbledon 2025?
Ben Shelton will face Australian Rinky Hijikata in the second round of Wimbledon 2025.
How did Ben Shelton perform in his first-round match at Wimbledon 2025?
Ben Shelton won his first-round match in straight sets against Alex Bolt, with scores of 6-4, 7-6, 7-6, showcasing his powerful serve and composure on grass.
What time and where can I watch Ben Shelton vs. Rinky Hijikata?
The match is scheduled for Thursday as the final match on No. 2 Court, estimated to start between 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time. It will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV.
