Fabio Fognini and Carlos Alcaraz Delivered a Wimbledon Classic

Originally posted on Serve on SI | By Megha Gupta | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 5:40 PM ET

Four hours and 37 minutes. Five sets. Absolute madness.

Carlos Alcaraz edged out a determined Fabio Fognini 7-5, 6-7 (1), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in a massive first round battle that set the stage for the rest of Day 1. Neither player was willing to concede, keeping up their intensity while remaining strategic with ball placement to break each other's serves.

"The level he has shown, he can still play three, four more years," Alcaraz said. "Unbelievable. I have to give him the credit of a great match. Fabio is a great player. The level and the talent he has, once again, he can show today."

The 38-year-old Italian showed no signs of slowing down, his 10-match tour-level losing streak clearly a thing of the past as he met Alcaraz ball for ball. Despite the Spaniard taking a two sets to one lead, Fognini pressed on, harping on Alcaraz's serve to break the youngster and force a fifth set.

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Alcaraz was one of a handful of seeds to survive on Day 1, with Medvedev, Rune, and Zverev crashing out in long-winded matches. His win keeps his unbeaten streak in first-round matches at Grand Slams alive at 18 matches and extends his winning streak at Wimbledon to 15 matches. He faces British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the second round.

Wimbledon runs through July 13.

This article first appeared on Serve on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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