Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to become the fifth man in history to win three Wimbledon titles in a row Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz avoided a seismic shock against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in the Wimbledon first round to set up a meeting with British qualifier Oliver Tarvet. Alcaraz dug deep to win 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 2-6 6-1 as he opened the Centre Court play on a sweltering first day of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. The 22-year-old Spaniard quickly secured victory when an entertaining contest resumed after a 15-minute pause in the deciding set. A spectator sat in the sun was taken ill, with Alcaraz going over with a bottle of cold water to help their recovery. Alcaraz, who is the second seed behind Italian rival Jannik Sinner, struggled on serve and made uncharacteristic errors off the ground throughout a four-and-a-half-hour contest in temperatures topping 32C. In what is set to be his final Wimbledon appearance before retirement, 38-year-old Fognini twice fought back to force the decider but Alcaraz regained control to extend his winning streak to 19 matches. Alcaraz roared in relief when he finally ended Fognini's resistance, breaking into a broad smile and sharing a friendly embrace with his opponent. Alcaraz claimed his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this month -beating Sinner in an all-time classic final- before lifting the Queen's trophy on his return to the British grass. Next he will face 21-year-old Tarvet, who gets a shot at one of sport's superstars after beating Switzerland's Leandro Riedi on his Wimbledon debut.
Alcaraz avoids Fognini shock after fan taken ill
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Carlos Alcaraz Advances Past Fabio Fognini in Wimbledon First Round"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, faced a challenging first-round match against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini at Wimbledon, ultimately securing victory with a score of 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. The match took place on a sweltering day, where temperatures soared above 32 degrees Celsius, making conditions difficult for both players. Alcaraz, who is seeking to become the fifth man in history to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles, displayed resilience throughout the four-and-a-half-hour contest, overcoming uncharacteristic errors and difficulties with his serve. The match was briefly interrupted when a fan fell ill, prompting Alcaraz to assist by bringing a bottle of cold water to help with their recovery. This moment showcased not only his sportsmanship but also the intense atmosphere of the tournament, as players and spectators alike coped with the heat.
Alcaraz's victory continues his impressive momentum, extending his winning streak to 19 matches following his recent triumph at the French Open. He had previously defeated Jannik Sinner in a memorable final and lifted the Queen's trophy shortly thereafter. In this match against Fognini, the veteran player demonstrated his experience by rallying back to force a deciding set, but ultimately, Alcaraz regained control to finish the match decisively. His next opponent will be British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, who earned his spot in the tournament after defeating Switzerland's Leandro Riedi. As Alcaraz prepares for what may be a pivotal match in his career, the tennis community remains eager to see if he can maintain his form and continue his quest for a third consecutive Wimbledon title.
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