Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz shook off former world No.9 Fabio Fognini, who delivered high-level tennis throughout a five-set thriller, rising to the occasion in his final match at Wimbledon on Monday.
Eventually, the 22-year-old survived the Italian scare, wrapping up the opening round 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after four hours and 37 minutes, keeping his title defense campaign alive in Wimbledon.
The Spanish player, who arrived in London on an 18-match winning streak, was far from his best tennis on Monday.
In his return to Center Court, he delivered an erratic tennis display, notably lacking intensity and consistency, misfiring often on his forehand.
In his on-court interview, he outlined: “Playing the first match on Centre Court is never easy. 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 can, but I would say it could be better. I have to improve.”
On the other side of the net, Fognini made the most of his final outing at the prestigious tournament, putting into motion his sublime technique, charging at the net with finesse while painting the lines from the baseline with exquisite precision.
At age 38 and yet to win a tour-level match this season, the world No. 138 took the five-time major champion to a five-set shootout in his final appearance in SW19 for the delight of the crowd.
As a result, he left the court with his head up high, receiving a standing ovation from the spectators as well as from the world No. 2.
In his post-match press conference, the 9-time ATP titlist commented: “I didn’t expect to play five sets against him. There is no better way to play in this court than with a great champion that I have a lot of respect for and for his team because I know them very, very well.”
Bidding to become the fifth man to win three consecutive titles at The Championships, Alcaraz will meet British qualifier Oliver Tarvet on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old, ranked at world No. 733, beat Swiss Leandro Riedi 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to earn his maiden win at a major and set a second-round clash with the second seed.
Earlier, Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi stunned two-time semifinalist Daniil Medvedev, 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 in a three-hour, seven-minute encounter, claiming the biggest win of his career.
“This is my first Top 10 win at a Slam,” said the world No. 64 courtside. “It is always special at this tournament. The atmosphere, all the courts, and the grass, everything really. I love this place, so it’s very special, and Daniil is a great player. He has reached two semifinals.”
The ninth seed’s early exit was his first at the event in seven appearances in a season of ups and downs.
Two weeks ago, the former world number one advanced to the Terra Wortman Open championship match, losing to a spirited Alexander Bublik on the grass courts.
“I knew it was a tough match, but sometimes it is better to play this kind of player in the first round. Anything can happen, so I’m very happy with the win,” the Frenchman stated.
Bonzi will face off against Australian Jordan Thompson, who bounced back from two sets down to edge Czech Vit Kopriva 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-1, punching his ticket to the next round.
Meanwhile, Brazilian Joao Fonseca produced a 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (5) victory over world No. 51 Jacob Fearnley on Court 1, becoming the first 18-year-old to reach the men’s singles second round since Alcaraz in 2021.
“It’s my favorite Grand Slam since my childhood,” Fonseca remarked courtside. “I’ve been watching all the matches, so it’s just a pleasure being here.
“Jacob is a great friend, a great player, and I’m looking forward to my next meetings against him.”
The Next Gen ATP Finals winner will meet American Jenson Brooksby for the first time at tour level, aiming to extend his run to the third round at least.
Brooksby, who finished runner-up to Taylor Fritz in Eastbourne, recorded a straight-set victory over 31st seed Tallon Griekspoor, carrying momentum on the grass surface.
In the build-up to Wimbledon, the young Brazilian achieved his first grass-court match win in his Eastbourne opener over Zizou Bergs.
Chile qualifier Nicolas Jarry was in charge of producing the second upset of the day, coming back from two sets down for the first time in his career to knock out eight seed Holger Rune 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, who struggled with a knee injury.
Addressing the epic first-round win, the 29-year-old outlined: “It was a tough start to the match, but at the end, I was able to play the game I played since the beginning of qualifying.
“I’m happy to gain that, to overcome all the bad thoughts in my head, and all the demons. It was a difficult challenge, so I’m so happy to be here.”
A year ago, the Chilean player was ranked world No. 20, having reached the finals in Buenos Aires and Rome. Nonetheless, health issues have disrupted his career ever since.
The No. 143 began the year with a solid campaign in Brisbane, Australia, where he reached the quarterfinals, his best result before he flipped the script against the Danish player, rallying through five sets to come out on top on British soil.
After notching his best win of the season, Jarry will square off against world No. 62 Learner Tien, who won an all-American duel with countryman Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-2.
Elsewhere, 24th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas retired from his opening match against French qualifier Valentin Royer due to a back injury.
Royer led the Greek player 6-3, 6-2 when he took the difficult decision to withdraw from the contest.
“It’s tough to describe. I’m battling many wars these days, he stressed after a 74-minute match. It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this. One thing I absolutely hate doing is retiring or stopping a match.”
Tsitsipas explained that since the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin a couple of years ago, he has been “very fragile with my body.”
“I’ve been battling a war of feeling healthy and feeling comfortable going to the extremes, which has been a difficult battle,” he added.
“Right now, I’m just absolutely left with no answers. I don’t know what to do.”
For his part, Voyer and Adrian Mannarino will be the protagonists of an all-French duel on Wednesday for a place in the third round.
At the time of writing, organizers suspended play on Centre Court and No. 1 Court, where two blockbuster matches were taking place.
On Center Court, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev and Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech are even at one set all, 6-7(3), 7-6(8).
Meanwhile, on Court 1, fifth seed Fritz and big server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard head to a decider, 6-7(6), 6-7(8), 6-4, 7-6(6) on Tuesday.