Wimbledon 2025: Carllos Alcaraz survives Fabio Fognini scare; moves to second round

London: As the early-evening shadows stretched on Wimbledon’s Centre Court , two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz , who looked out of sorts for much of the four-hours and 27-minutes in the middle, brought out his best version in the fifth set, much to the relief of the packed house.

The second-seed came through 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 against the skillful Italian Fabio Fognini in a generational clash that saw as much tennis as tricks, range and rage that sparked the sun. The 22-year-old five-time major winner versus the 38-year-old -playing his 15th and final Wimbledon.

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At 38 years and 50 days, the Italian is the third oldest man to begin the men’s singles main draw this year – after Gael Monfils (38 years 315 days) and Novak Djokovic (38 years 52 days). “First of all, I don’t know why it is his last Wimbledon, he can still play three-four more years,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview.

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“I have to credit him for a great match, the level and talent he has, he showed it again. I’m happy to have shared the court and locker room with him.” Alcaraz, who struggled with his serve in the first four sets, faced 21 breakpoints in the match whereas Fognini only had 15.