Alcaraz Eyes Third Straight Wimbledon Title After Tough Opener

38-year-old world number 130 Fabio Fognini from Imperia took two-time and defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain to five sets in their tournament-opening match on Centre Court Monday, before folding 6-1 in the final set in the blistering sun in South London, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The 22-year-old world number two from Murcia, bidding to become the first player since Bjorn Borg to do the Roland-Garros-Wimbledon double in successive years, was often outplayed by the veteran Italian, former world number nine, who won the fourth set handily.

In his last game at Wimbledon, Fognini lost 7-5 6-7 7-5 2-6 6-1 to the five-time slam winner, favourite to take his third straight Wimbledon crown ahead of world number one Jannik Sinner of Italy, whom he beat in the longest French Open final earlier this month after the 23-year-old South Tyrolean had four match points in the fourth set.