The evening took a dramatic turn on Court 1 at Wimbledon, where the first-round of action between No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz and France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was halted after four sets. The choice to stop play taken in spite of 40 minutes left before the official curfew visibly frustrated fans and players alike.

Curfew Controversy Sparks Tension

Tournament officials stopped the match citing the All England Club’s strict 11 p.m. curfew. But the sudden decision came hours before the deadline, leaving both players and especially Fritz visibly distressed.

Fritz, made a comeback into the match having losing the first two sets, was engaged in a heated argument with officials during the changeover, voicing his incredulity about the timing of the suspension. The crowd was in sympathy with him, booing in dismay as the news was read out.

Break In Momentum Due To Match Halt

The American, playing high after capturing titles at the Boss Open in Stuttgart and Eastbourne, pulled off an unbelievable comeback in the fourth set. Down 1-5 in the tiebreaker, Fritz went on to take seven of the following eight points to seize the set 7-6 (6) and send the match into a fifth.

Momentum was decidedly in his favor, but the delay as he seemed set to finish a stunning comeback brought the thrilling match suddenly to a halt. The make-or-break fifth set is now to resume on Tuesday.

Another Match Stopped At Centre Court

Fritz’s contest wasn’t the only one interrupted. On Centre Court, too, the late evening encounter between third seed Alexander Zverev and Arthur Rinderknech had been halted, with the two having been level at one set all when a 10:54 p.m. halt was called — yet again, mere minutes before the curfew.

Early Shocks On Day One Of The Championships

The match delay continues what has so far been a chaotic beginning to this year’s Wimbledon. With prominent faces such as Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev bowing out in the first round, Fritz was on the verge of becoming one of the early casualties.

Perricard, who fired 33 aces and controlled on serve without being broken once, won the first two sets in thrilling tiebreaks — 7-6 (6), 7-6 (8). Fritz replied by claiming the third 6-4 and then executing his dramatic fourth-set comeback before the interruption.