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.

Carlos Alcaraz edged out a determined Fabio Fognini 7-5, 6-7 (1), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in a massive first round battle that set the stage for the rest of Day 1. Neither player was willing to concede, keeping up their intensity while remaining strategic with ball placement to break each other's serves.

Alcaraz hopes to become the first player on the men's tour since Bjorn Borg to complete the French Open-Wimbledon double in consecutive years. Alcaraz is only the third defending Wimbledon champion all-time to be taken to five sets in the first round of the following year's Grand Slam.