Wimbledon: Carlos Alcaraz taken to five sets by fiery Fabio Fognini

The five-time Grand Slam champion survived a scare to prevail 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after four hours and 27 minutes in a contest that was far closer than anyone would have predicted.

The first three sets were highly competitive as an off-colour Alcaraz was pushed hard by a Fognini who produced his best display in recent years.

As Alcaraz's struggles continued, Fognini stormed to take the fourth set without facing a break point as he forced a decider.

The jeopardy of a fifth set focused Alcaraz as he surged to a 3-0 lead that became 5-0 after a delay for a medical emergency in the crowd, before sealing the win.

During the second set tiebreak he lost, Alcaraz was heard saying: "I can't serve and I can't return. Shameful."

Alcaraz's victory preserved his unbeaten record in the opening round of Grand Slams and improved his five-set match record to an incredible 14-1.

Fognini, who was making his final Wimbledon appearance in what is his last year on tour, received a standing ovation from the crowd and was applauded by Alcaraz.

The 38-year-old Italian, a former world No 9, was playing Wimbledon for the 15th time.

Alcaraz, who is the two-time defending Wimbledon champion, has now won 19 consecutive matches in a run that features titles in Rome, at the French Open, and at the Queen's Club Championships.

This was just the third time in the Open Era where a defending men's singles champion at Wimbledon played a five-setter in the opening match of their title defence.

In the other two, Bjorn Borg beat Victor Amaya in 1978, while Roger Federer overcame Alejandro Falla in 2010.

In his on-court interview, Alcaraz paid tribute to Fognini: "Well, first of all, to be honest I don't know why it's his last Wimbledon because the level he has shown, he can still play three, four more years (laughs). Unbelievable.

"I just have to give him the credit for such a great match. Fabio is a great player, he has shown during his whole career the level and the talent he has. Once again he has shown today.

"I'm just a little bit sad it's his last Wimbledon, but just happy to have lived and shared the court many times with him, the locker room with him, and we're gonna enjoy the last of him."

Asked how he would assess his own performance, Alcaraz said: "Well, playing the first match of the Centre Court, the first match of every tournament is never easy.

"I've been practising well, I've been playing on grass really well, but at Wimbledon it's special, it's different and I could feel the difference between Wimbledon and the other tournaments.

"I just tried to play my best, to deal with the nerves the best that I could, but I would say I can be better. I have to improve in the next round, I just want to be better. But in general, I think it was a great match."

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