The two-time defending champ eventually asserts himself in the last set to pick up a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory amid record-breaking Day 1 heat at the oldest Grand Slam tournament.

Fabio Fognini admitted he cried in the locker room after his painful defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in his final Wimbledon appearance. The veteran Italian put on a great performance in his last showing at the All England Club as he prepares for his retirement at the end of the season.

Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time reigning champion and present World No. 2, barely avoided a startling first-round loss on Centre Court by 38-year-old Fabio Fognini in a fierce five-set battle. Tension also rose as temperatures soared above 32 degrees Celsius,