LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Ben Shelton of United States plays a forehand against Otto Virtanen of Finland during their Gentlemen's Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England.

U.S. star Shelton stunned by Virtanen in 1st round at Wimbledon

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Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ben Shelton is done at Wimbledon after just one round.

Shelton, the top-seeded American man in this summer's tournament at No. 4, was upset by Otto Virtanen in five sets on Tuesday.

The lefty, who looked strong in grass-court events in the buildup to tennis' marquee major, lost a fifth-set tiebreaker and exited the Grand Slam with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-7 (9) defeat.

"The way that he was playing, hitting the ball, it definitely forced my hand. He's playing aggressive," Shelton said after the loss, according to Ken Maguire of The Associated Press. "He wasn't really making any mistakes. Towards the end, any ball I left semi-hanging, he was ripping a winner, especially in that last game before the tiebreak."

The victory is the biggest of Virtanen's career.

The Finnish player, ranked No. 140 in the world, saved a match point in the decisive tiebreaker before claiming his first-ever win over a top-20 opponent.

The match on No. 2 court took over four hours.

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