'THEN DON'T ASK ME': WIMBLEDON CONTENDER FUMES AT CURFEW DECISION AS CROWD HURL BOOS

Taylor Fritz was far from impressed after an early curfew ruling. (Getty/Mike Hewitt)

Fifth seed Taylor Fritz is one set away from arguably the most epic comeback of his career.

Last year's US Open finalist trailed by two-sets-to-love against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before dramatically flipping the script, and the scoreboard, when he fought back from a 1-5 deficit in the fourth set tiebreak.

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However, that momentum swing could be all for nothing.

At 10:17pm local time, 43 minutes before the 11pm curfew cutoff time, play was surprisingly suspended despite room to fit in a few more games at a minimum.

Fritz approached the tournament supervisor and pleaded for the match to continue, but his efforts didn't pay off.

When the supervisor told the American that they should halt play, Fritz replied, "Then don't ask me then."

The 27-year-old turned to his box and shouted the words, "I couldn't do anything. I tried."

A chorus of boos and jeers rang out across Court 1, with spectators left stunned over the controversial call.

Australian doubles great Todd Woodbridge echoed Fritz and the crowd's thoughts during commentary.

"The referee has come out too early. They could have given them the option. We still had 45 minutes before curfew. All the sets that we've had have taken under 45 minutes," he said.

"They were close to it, but there was definitely a chance of an outcome there tonight. It's good for Mpetshi Perricard. He should be very happy with that, but Taylor Fritz would be a little annoyed, I have no doubt."

Mpetshi Perricard broke the Wimbledon serve record in just the third point of the contest, registering a monster 246km/h bomb. Yet it was Fritz who, somehow, managed to win the point.

Between the pair, they served a total of 57 aces with a fifth set still to be played out, with the Frenchman contributing to 33 of those rockets.

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