June 30 (UPI) -- Otto Virtanen outlasted Ben Shelton in a four-hour, two-minute thriller, upsetting the top-ranked American on Tuesday in his Wimbledon 2026 opener.
The No. 140 player in the ATP Tour singles rankings converted 3 of 8 break point chances, while his highly-favored No. 5 foe failed to convert 11 of 12 break opportunities. With his win, the Finnish underdog advanced to Wimbledon's second round for the second time in three years. He has yet to advance to the third round of a Grand Slam.
"I had a great month before this," Virtanen said on the ESPN broadcast. "I played a lot of grass matches. I always enjoy playing here. Last year, I unfortunately missed due to injury. Two years ago I had a great time here.
"It feels so good to be back."
Virtanen fired 14 aces and 60 winners in the 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(9) triumph at No. 2 Court. Shelton, a 2025 quarterfinalist, collected 19 aces and 68 winners in the upset loss.
The No. 140 player in the ATP Tour singles rankings converted 3 of 8 break point chances, while his highly-favored No. 5 foe failed to convert 11 of 12 break opportunities. With his win, the Finnish underdog advanced to Wimbledon's second round for the second time in three years. He has yet to advance to the third round of a Grand Slam.
"I had a great month before this," Virtanen said on the ESPN broadcast. "I played a lot of grass matches. I always enjoy playing here. Last year, I unfortunately missed due to injury. Two years ago I had a great time here.
"It feels so good to be back."
Virtanen fired 14 aces and 60 winners in the 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(9) triumph at No. 2 Court. Shelton, a 2025 quarterfinalist, collected 19 aces and 68 winners in the upset loss.
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