Did Carlos Alcaraz Overcome the Scare Against Fognini at Wimbledon 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Alcaraz displayed remarkable resilience in a five-set match.
- He maintained his perfect first-round record at majors.
- This match showcased the intense competition at Wimbledon.
- Alcaraz aims for historic back-to-back Grand Slam titles.
- He will meet Oliver Tarvet in the next round.
London, June 30 (NationPress) Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faced a challenging match on the opening day of Wimbledon, managing to defeat the experienced Fabio Fognini in a gripping five-set contest to advance to the second round of the men's singles at the All England Club on Monday.
Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 2 in the world and the 2025 French Open champion, triumphed over the veteran Italian amidst the sweltering London heat with scores of 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after a marathon of four hours and 37 minutes.
In this dramatic showdown that showcased exceptional shot-making, Alcaraz demonstrated his characteristic determination to succeed on the hottest opening day ever recorded at The Championships, with temperatures soaring to 31.4C.
The Spaniard, boasting a remarkable 14-1 record in fifth sets, had recently claimed victory over Jannik Sinner in the final at Roland Garros. He faced a formidable challenge from Fognini, who had struggled in recent matches.
Presently riding an 18-match winning streak, the longest of his career, Alcaraz aspires to join Bjorn Borg as only the second man in history to secure the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive years.
However, it was unexpected for the 22-year-old Alcaraz to encounter difficulties against the 38-year-old Fognini, who entered the match with a 10-match tour-level losing streak.
At times, Alcaraz found himself in genuine distress on Centre Court, with David Beckham in attendance. He rallied from a setback in the third set and ultimately dominated the fifth set to seal his victory. With this win, the No. 2 player in the ATP Rankings avoided becoming only the third defending champion to exit in the first round, following Manuel Santana in 1967 and Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.
Alcaraz further maintained his flawless first-round record at Grand Slams (18-0) and extended his winning streak at Wimbledon to 15 matches. His next opponent will be British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, who achieved victory over Swiss player Leandro Riedi (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) in his major debut.
Alcaraz is on the hunt for his sixth title of the season, notably highlighted by his fifth major at Roland Garros and his ATP Masters 1000 victories in Monte Carlo and Rome. Earlier this month, he also celebrated a second triumph at The Queen's Club.