Wimbledon: 2-time defending champ Carlos Alcaraz needs 5 sets to beat Fabio Fognini in the 1st round
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz needed to go through more than 4 1/2 hours of back-and-forth shifts against a much-older and much-less-accomplished Fabio Fognini at Centre Court before emerging with a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday.
The No. 2-seeded Alcaraz had a much tougher time than anyone likely expected before he managed to extend his current winning streak to a career-best 19 matches.
Consider, to begin with, that Alcaraz is 22 and already a five-time Grand Slam champion, including his latest at the French Open three weeks ago.
Consider, too, that Fognini is 38, plans to retire after this season, has never been past the third round at the All England Club in 15 appearances and reached the quarterfinals at any major tournament just once— way back at the 2011 French Open. He also entered Monday ranked 138th and with an 0-6 record in 2025.
Oh, and then there's this: Only twice has the reigning men's champion at Wimbledon been beaten in the first round the following year, Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 and Manuel Santana in 1967.
There were times Monday when Alcaraz appeared to be something less than his best, far from the form he displayed during his epic five-set, 5 1/2-hour comeback victory over No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the championship at Roland-Garros.
He double-faulted nine times. He faced a hard-to-believe 21 break points. He made more unforced errors, 62, than winners, 52.
There was a moment where Alcaraz looked toward his coach, 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, and shouted something about how Fognini looked as if he could keep playing until he's 50.
When Alcaraz pushed a forehand long to cede the fourth set, Fognini nodded toward his guest box, where a member of his entourage stood to snap a photo with a cellphone. Things were picture-perfect for Fognini at that moment.
But at the outset of the fifth — the first time the previous year's male champ was pushed that far in the first round since Roger Federer in 2010 — Alcaraz recalibrated himself.
When the Spaniard broke to lead 2-0 in the last set with a backhand volley winner, he pointed toward the stands, threw an uppercut and screamed, 'Vamos!' In the next game, he saved a pair of break points, before the match was paused for more than 10 minutes because a spectator felt ill amid record-breaking high temperatures for Day 1 of Wimbledon.
When they resumed, Alcaraz continued to impose himself and outplay Fognini the rest of the way.
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Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
Two-time defending champ Carlos Alcaraz needs five sets escape first round of Wimbledon
It wasn't supposed to be that tough. 'Didn't expect to play five sets against him,' Fognini said. 'I had my chance.' Advertisement Consider, to begin with, that the No. 2-seeded Alcaraz is 22, already a five-time Grand Slam champion, including his latest at the French Open three weeks ago, and is currently on a career-best 19-match winning streak. Consider, too, that Fognini has never been past the third round at the All England Club in 15 appearances and reached the quarterfinals at any major tournament just once — the 2011 French Open. He entered Monday ranked 138th and 0-6 this year. What. A. Match. 🤩 Carlos Alcaraz wins an epic duel in the sun against Fabio Fognini, 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) Oh, and then there's this: Only twice has the reigning men's champion at Wimbledon been beaten in the first round the following year, Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 and Manuel Santana in 1967. There were times Monday when Alcaraz appeared to be something less than his best, far from the form he displayed during Advertisement Alcaraz double-faulted nine times. He faced a hard-to-believe 21 break points. He made more unforced errors, 62, than winners, 52. He chalked some of that up to jitters. 'It doesn't matter the winning streak that I have right now, that I've been playing great on grass, that I've been preparing really well,' said Alcaraz, who beat Novak Djokovic in the 2023 and 2024 finals. 'Wimbledon is different. I could feel today that I was really nervous at the beginning.' Next for Alcaraz will be a match Wednesday against Oliver Tarvet, a 21-year-old British qualifier who plays college tennis at the University of San Diego and is ranked 733rd. Still, Alcaraz said: 'I have to improve in the next round.' Fognini — whose wife, 2015 US Open champion Flavia Pennetta, held one of their children in the stands — is a self-described hothead and is known for mid-match flareups, including at Wimbledon, where he was fined $3,000 in 2019 for saying during a match that he wished 'a bomb would explode at the club' and a then-record $27,500 in 2014 for a series of outbursts. He was put on a two-year probation by the Grand Slam Board in 2017 after insulting a female chair umpire at the U.S. Open and getting kicked out of that tournament. Such behavior wasn't displayed Monday. And when Alcaraz pushed a forehand long to cede the fourth set, Fognini nodded toward his guest box, where a member of his entourage stood to snap a photo with a cellphone. Things were picture-perfect for Fognini at that moment. Advertisement But at the outset of the fifth — the first time the previous year's male champ was pushed that far in the first round since Roger Federer in 2010 — Alcaraz recalibrated. When the Spaniard broke to lead 2-0 in that set with a backhand volley winner, he pointed toward the stands, threw an uppercut and screamed, 'Vamos!' In the next game, he saved a pair of break points, before the match was paused for more than 10 minutes because a spectator felt ill amid record-breaking high temperatures for Day 1 of Wimbledon. Temperatures hit 91 degrees on Monday, the hottest opening day ever at the All England Club. Joanna Chan/Associated Press When they resumed, Alcaraz outplayed Fognini the rest of the way. Fognini said he cried in the locker room afterward. While Alcaraz escaped, seven seeded men exited on Day 1, including 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini, No. 8 Holger Rune, No. 9 Daniil Medvedev — who also lost in the first round at the French Open — No. 16 Francisco Cerundolo, No. 20 Alexei Popyrin, No. 24 Stefanos Tsitsipas — who quit because of a persistent lower-back problem — and No. 31 Tallon Griekspoor. No. 20 Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champ, lost, while women's winners included No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 6 Madison Keys, 2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova, and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Fifth-seeded American Taylor Fritz's match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard — who hit a tournament-record 153-mile-per-hour serve — was suspended after four sets on Monday night in case they wouldn't be able to finish before the tournament's 11 p.m. curfew. How to return the fastest ever serve at The Championships, by — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) They'll resume on Tuesday. Mpetshi Perricard, whose speediest serve came in the opening game, took the initial two sets 7-6 (6), 7-6 (8), before Fritz grabbed the next two 6-4, 7-6 (6). Advertisement The 6-foot-8-inch Mpetshi Perricard bettered the previous Wimbledon mark of 148 m.p.h., by Taylor Dent in 2010. Fritz, though, not only managed to put his return in play, but also eventually won the point. ___ Howard Fendrich has been the AP's tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here:
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
2025 Wimbledon: Tarvet vs. Alcaraz [2nd] Prediction, Odds and Match Preview
On Wednesday, Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2 in the world) takes on Oliver Tarvet in the Round of 64 at Wimbledon. Alcaraz has -10000 odds to claim a win in this match versus Tarvet (+1350). If you want to tune in for this match, and the rest of Wimbledon, ESPN is the spot to go. Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 6:36 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Oliver Tarvet vs. Carlos Alcaraz matchup info Watch Wimbledon and more tennis on Fubo! Tarvet vs. Alcaraz Prediction Based on the implied probility from the moneyline, Tarvet has a 99.0% to win. Tarvet vs. Alcaraz Betting Odds Tarvet vs. Alcaraz matchup performance & stats
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Here's a stat for you...
Follow live reaction to the opening day at SW19 with fans unhappy as Fritz and Zverev clashes were paused after Carlos Alcaraz progressed in five sets Getty Images Day one at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships saw late controversy as Taylor Fritz's match was suspended due to the SW19 curfew, with Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Arthur Rinderknech also paused. American Fritz (5) fought back from two sets down to level vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard but play was called off, denying fans who stayed late a final-set decider, with Zverev one set all with Rinderknech. Earlier, two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz progressed in five sets against Fabio Fognini, 38, on a day when several seeds were shocked, including Rune (8), Medvedev (9), Cerúndolo (16), and Tsitsipas (24). In the women's singles, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was among those to win on a scorching first day with temperatures reaching 90F (32C). Watch: BBC (UK), ESPN (U.S.); Get involved: live@ GO FURTHER Taylor Fritz frustrated as Wimbledon comeback is interrupted by curfew Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a first-round match at a Grand Slam. He came as close as he has probably ever come today. Chapeau, Monsieur Fognini (yes, I know he's Italian). Getty Images Lots still due tonight, and that's on top of the matches which are currently on court! In the men's singles, third seed Alexander Zverev faces Arthur Rinderknech, while American Taylor Fritz (5) plays another Frenchman in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. In the women's: Ashlyn Krueger (31) vs. 16-year-old Brit Mika Stojsavljevic vs. 16-year-old Brit Mika Stojsavljevic Elise Mertens (24) vs. Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Linda Fruhvirtova Zheng Qinwen (5) vs. Kateřina Siniaková Andrey Rublev (14) leads Serb Laslo Djere two sets to one, 1-1 in the fourth, with two Americans on court as well. On Court 14, Jenson Brooksby is a break up on Tallon Griekspoor (31). While on Court 9, Brandon Holt has just lost the first set 2-6 against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Getty Images In the women's singles, American Amanda Anisimova (13) leads Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 3-0, with Naomi Osaka an early break down at 1-2 against Talia Gibson. Another American in McCartney Kessler (32) has been knocked out by Markéta Vondroušová, 6-1, 7-6(3), while Brit Katie Boulter has just started against ninth seed Paula Badosa in the next match on centre court. Ann Li of the U.S. is a set all against Viktorija Golubic, 0-0 in the third. Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 2-1 Anastasija Sevastova* There could be an upset on the way on No. 2 Court. Jasmine Paolini, last year's beaten finalist, has lost the opening set of her first round match against Anastasija Sevastova. The second set is on serve but Paolini has a lot of work to do against her veteran Latvian opponent, who has never been beyond the third round at Wimbledon but did reach the semi-final stage at Flushing Meadows back in 2018. Getty Images Emma Raducanu 6-3, 2-1* Mimi Xu On No.1 Court there's a battle of the British home hopefuls. Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu took the first set against 17-year-old Mimi Xu and was an early break of serve up in the second — only for the teenager to immediately hit back. Raducanu, 22, is attempting to reach the second round of The Championships for the fourth time in her career. Carlos Alcaraz, speaking on Centre Court after his win, hailed his opponent's performance. 💬 He said: 'First of all, to be honest, I don't know why it's his last Wimbledon. His level is so high, he can play four more years! It was such a great match. 'He's a great player, his whole career, once again you guys saw it today. A little bit sad it's his last Wimbledon, but happy to share the court with him and we are going to enjoy it. 'Playing the first match at Centre Court is never easy, I've been practicing pretty well but Wimbledon is different. I just tried to play my best, but I can be better. I have to improve in the next round.' When discussing his next opponent, Brit Oliver Tarvet, 21, he added: 'It's not going to be personal! I saw his name when he qualified for the first time, he's playing in college right now. 'He plays great tennis on grass so I will have to be focused on that and put my best tennis into the match. Obviously let's keep enjoying being at Wimbledon.' Getty Images Fognini throws his trainers into the crowd to cheers. He gave the two-time defending champion and one of the tournament favorites a hell of a match. Really impressive from the unseeded veteran. Getty Images Very sporting from Carlos Alcaraz. He gives Fognini a long hug at the net to salute the Italian, who at 38 years old is playing in his final Wimbledon match. What a match to go out, eh? Alcaraz just stands and applauds as Centre Court rises to its collective feet to give Fognini a deserved ovation. Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 Fabio Fognini Fabio Fognini nets and Carlos Alcaraz is through! They sportingly embrace at the net. Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 5-1* Fabio Fognini Booming serve, 15-0. A filthy drop shot, Fognini doesn't even run for it. Not sure he could have made the fourth bounce, such was the spin and trajectory of that knifing slice. 30-0. Fognini then sends a ripping forehand return down the line, gorgeous stroke, and he does a slight bow for the Centre Court crowd, smiling slightly. Fognini rushes to the net, forcing Alcaraz into the cross-court forehand, netted for 30-all. Fognini return long and that's match point Alcaraz... Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, *5-1 Fabio Fognini Alcaraz nets, 15-0, lovely deft backhand volley from Fognini, Alcaraz gets there but his Hail Mary down the line past the net post misses. Fognini rubs his eyes repeatedly, perhaps a bit of sweat in them, maybe just contemplating how quickly this set, and this match, has got away from him. He swats a forehand wide, then it's 30-30. A clean winner for 40-30 and another for the hold. Fognini looks shattered though. The end is nigh, I reckon. Getty Images ...as he walks to his mark. Can he pull off an incredible comeback in the decider? Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 5-0* Fabio Fognini Big ace for 15-0, another for 30-0. Ruthless. And another! 40-0! Alcaraz finally finds his serve. That is a joke, massive serve Fognini does well to even get a racket on, but it's net. Hold to love and suddenly Alcaraz is a game from the second round. Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, *4-0 Fabio Fognini Fognini races into a 40-0 lead with a big serve and a shanked Alcaraz backhand. But that's one point back, and another as a Fognini shot is called long. He doesn't like it, but the replay shows it's well out. Fognini sort of slips and can only net, deuce. He overshoots again and it's advantage and break point to Alcaraz, four points in a row... deuce again as Fognini disguises a forehand, wrong-footing the back-pedalling Spaniard. Fognini tries a deft drop shot but nets, then it comes off the wrong part of his racket and it sails well wide. Fognini frustrated. He's 4-0 down! Getty Images Paramedics have just taken the fan off for further treatment. Play is getting back underway shortly. Getty Images It is nearly 90°F/32°C on Centre Court, and the area where the fan was taken ill was bathed in direct sunshine, no shade to protect from the sun. Getty Images A spectator has been taken ill on Centre Court so play is temporarily suspended. Alcaraz was one of the first to notice and rushed over with water. Concerning scenes.
