ATP Tour

Alcaraz survives five-set scare from Fognini in Wimbledon opener

Two-time defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz survived a major scare on his return to Centre Court Monday, when he overcame Fabio Fognini and the intense London heat to reach the second round in five sets.

On the hottest opening day on record at The Championships, with temperatures reaching 31.4C, Alcaraz was made to work extremely hard against a free-hitting Fognini, who was competing at Wimbledon for the final time. In a topsy-turvy battle, which featured first-class shotmaking, Alcaraz showed his trademark grit to triumph 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in four hours and 37 minutes. The Spaniard now holds a standout 14-1 fifth-set record, recently defeating Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros final.

“I don’t know why it’s his last Wimbledon, because with the level he has shown, he can still play three or four more years,” said Alcaraz. “I have to give him credit for such a great match. Fabio is such a great player, he has shown in his whole career the level he has. I’m just a little bit sad that it’s his last Wimbledon, but happy to have shared the court with him.”

Carlitos strikes again ☄️

The defending champion battles past Fognini in an absolute five-set thriller, taking the win 7-5 6-7 7-5 2-6 6-1 🔥@wimbledon | #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XQw9T2Ycqg

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 30, 2025

Alcaraz arrived in London having won his past 18 matches – the longest winning streak of his career. Aiming to join Bjorn Borg and become just the second man in history to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive years, few would have expected Alcaraz to struggle against the 38-year-old Fognini, who as the third oldest man in the men’s singles draw, stepped onto court on the back of a 10-match tour-level losing streak.

Yet for periods, Alcaraz was in real trouble on Centre Court. With David Beckham watching on in the Royal Box, Alcaraz rallied from a break down in the third set and finally put the Italian to bed in a dominant fifth set. With his win, the No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings avoided becoming just the third defending champion to lose in the first round. Manuel Santana fell in 1967 and Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.

“Playing the first match on Centre Court is never easy,” said Alcaraz. “I have been playing on grass pretty well, but Wimbledon is special. I can feel the difference between Wimbledon and the other tournaments. I just try to play the best I could, but I would say it could be better. I have to improve.”

Alcaraz also maintained his perfect first-round record at majors (18-0) and extended his winning streak at Wimbledon to 15 matches. He will next meet British qualifier Oliver Tarvet after the 21-year-old beat Swiss Leandro Riedi 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to earn victory on his major debut.

Alcaraz is chasing his sixth title of the season, highlighted by his fifth major at Roland Garros and ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome. Earlier this month, Alcaraz triumphed at The Queen’s Club for the second time.

Alcaraz was not at his fluid best in his first set back on Centre Court since defeating Novak Djokovic in last year’s final. The World No. 2 saved all five break points he faced in the opener and produced the key bit of magic on the Italian’s serve at 5-5, lifting a lob over Fognini to gain the decisive break.

Alcaraz was unable to push on after winning the opener and struggled for consistency in the second set, committing 20 unforced errors to 13 winners. He was punished in the second-set tie-break when Fognini levelled on his fourth set point after Alcaraz pushed a short forehand wide.

In an entertaining third set, which featured full-length dives from both players, Fognini won one of the points of the tournament to move to break point on the Alcaraz serve when trailing 3-5.

The Italian pulled the Spaniard from side to side with his aggressive baseline hitting before he moved forward to push Alcaraz deep into the forehand corner with a volley. On the stretch, the Spaniard managed to hit the baseline with a lob, but the Italian replied with a fierce overhead before knocking away a backhand volley. The Italian raised his arms aloft and punched the air before he earned the break back on the following point.

Alcaraz would not be denied, though. He increased his intensity and consistency in the fierce heat to break the Italian in the 12th game and lead again.

Fognini refused to go away, however, and opened his shoulders to hit his flat backhand through the court during a red-hot fourth set. The ball flew through the burning London air to the tune of 14 winners in the set, with the Italian forcing a fifth set to the delight of the packed crowd.

Fognini’s fifth-set record — 24 wins to 16 losses, including his legendary comeback against Rafael Nadal at the 2015 US Open — showed his fighting spirit. But on what was his final Wimbledon appearance, the former Top 10 star’s magic finally ran dry as Alcaraz pulled away to claim victory in the decider.

Alcaraz, now 43-5 on the year, is aiming to become the fifth man to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles. Following his victory, Alcaraz joined the crowd in giving Fognini a standing ovation off court.