Carlos Alcaraz on the Brink of Shock Wimbledon Exit Against Fabio Fognini
Wimbledon, Day 1 – Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is in serious danger of a stunning first-round exit at Wimbledon after veteran Fabio Fognini pushed him to a fifth set in a thrilling battle on Centre Court.
Fognini One Set Away from Historic Upset
The 38-year-old Italian, likely playing his final Wimbledon, is locked in an intense battle with the world No. 2, trailing 5-7, 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-2 after nearly four hours of play. Fognini, ranked No. 94, is aiming to become the first man to defeat Alcaraz in the opening round of a major (the Spaniard is 17-0 in first-round Grand Slam matches).
If Fognini completes the upset, Alcaraz would join Manuel Santana (1967) and Lleyton Hewitt (2003) as the only defending Wimbledon champions to lose in the first round.
Alcaraz’s Streak & Historic Bid in Jeopardy
The 22-year-old arrived at SW19 riding an 18-match winning streak, the longest of his career, including his French Open triumph last month. He was attempting to:
- Become the fifth man (after Borg, Federer, Sampras, and Djokovic) to win three straight Wimbledon titles.
- Match Björn Borg as the only man to achieve the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive years.
However, under the watch of David Beckham in the Royal Box, Alcaraz struggled with consistency against Fognini’s relentless baseline attack.
Roller-Coaster Battle Under the London Sun
- First Set: Alcaraz saved five break points before a sublime lob secured the decisive break at 5-5.
- Second Set: The Spaniard faltered while serving at 4-3, allowing Fognini to claw back and edge a tense tiebreak.
- Third Set: A breathtaking rally—ending with a Fognini volley winner—ignited the crowd, but Alcaraz broke late to reclaim control.
- Fourth Set: The Italian dominated, breaking early and capitalizing on Alcaraz’s mounting errors.
Fognini’s Late-Career Resurgence?
The former Top 10 star, now ranked outside the Top 90, is seeking his first Top 5 win since 2019 (7-46 lifetime). Known for his fiery demeanor and shotmaking flair, Fognini famously defeated Rafael Nadal at the 2015 US Open and holds a strong 24-16 record in fifth sets.
What’s Next?
With momentum shifting, the decider promises high drama. A loss would derail Alcaraz’s quest for a third straight title, while Fognini could etch his name in Wimbledon folklore with one more set.