The reigning champion, Carlos Alcaraz, had to work hard for more than four and a half hours in a match of ups and downs against Fabio Fognini on the center court of Wimbledon. The final result was 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6 and 6-1 in favor of Alcaraz, thus ensuring his passage to the next round.
The world number 2, Alcaraz, faced an unexpected challenge, but managed to extend his winning streak to 19 consecutive matches, the best of his career.
To provide context, Alcaraz, at 22 years old, already has five Grand Slam titles, including the recent victory at Roland Garros three weeks ago. On the other hand, Fognini, 38 years old and planning to retire at the end of the season, has never surpassed the third round at Wimbledon in 15 participations and only reached the quarterfinals in a major tournament, at the 2011 French Open. Furthermore, Fognini arrived at the match ranked 138th and with a 0-6 record in 2025.
It is important to note that only on two occasions has the defending men’s champion of Wimbledon been defeated in the first round the following year: Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 and Manuel Santana in 1967.
During the match, Alcaraz showed a performance below his best level, distancing himself from the form he displayed in his epic five-set victory against Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.
He committed nine double faults.
He faced 21 break points.
He committed more unforced errors (62) than winners (52).
In one moment of the match, Alcaraz looked at his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and exclaimed that Fognini seemed capable of playing until he was 50 years old.
When Alcaraz sent a long forehand that cost him the fourth set, Fognini nodded towards his box, where a member of his team was preparing to take a photo.After splitting the first four sets with Fabio Fognini in his first match at Wimbledon, second seed Carlos Alcaraz found his rhythm in the deciding set to extend his winning streak to 19 matches, the best of his career.
At the start of the fifth set, Alcaraz regrouped. When he achieved a break to lead 2-0 with a backhand volley winner, Alcaraz shouted “Vamos!” and celebrated with an energetic gesture. In the next game, he saved two break points before the match was stopped for more than ten minutes due to a medical issue with a spectator, amidst record temperatures for the first day of Wimbledon.
As the game resumed, Alcaraz continued to dominate and surpass Fognini until the end.
