Wimbledon 2025 Men’s Day 1

Holder Carlos Alcaraz survived a white-hot opening battle with wily Italian veteran Fabio Fognini to escape into the Wimbledon second round as play  began in heatwave 31 Celsius conditions on Monday.

The top seed who is bidding for a hat-trick of titles after also winning in 2023, had to work to get past Fognini, playing what is likely to be his last event on grass at age 38.

Alcaraz, more than a decade and a half younger than the colourful Italian, had to spend more than four and a half hours to finally pull off victory as Fognini played in his 63rd Grand Slam, with the Spaniard winning 7-6, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.

“I don’t know why this is his last Wimbledon, with the level he showed today he could play another three or four years,” Alcaraz said.

“I give him a lot of credit for an unbelievable match. It’s still a bit sad that this could be his last Wimbledon.

“I’m happy to have shared the court with him.”

Alcaraz, who won Queen’s by way of a tuneup last month, said he had to make a major effort to go through for the win.

“Playing a first match in a Grand Slam or any tournament is always tough. I can tell the difference between here and the other grass events. Wimbledon is so special and different.”

Alcaraz will face a complete unknown in the second round after Briton Oliver Tarvet defeated fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi of Switzerland 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

The winner had never played either a Tour-level tournament or qualifying prior to last  week here and as a college student amateur in the US can still accept only a limited amount of prize money..

Qualifier Nicolas Jarry produced the first notable upset with his 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 upset of eighth seed Holger Rune, earning the comeback win in three and a half hours over the 2023 quarter-finalist.. 

Daniil Medvedev suffered his worst career defeat at Wimbledon as he took a 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss to Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi after more than three hours of struggle.

Former No. 1 Medvedev also lost a month ago in the Roland Garros opening round, with the six-time Grand Slam finalist now struggling with his game; he has now lost in the first round of a major on nine occasions, winning only one match at the Slams in 2025.

Before his early defeat, the US Open champion from four years ago had earned back-to-back semi-finals here.

“It’s a matter of confidence, it’s just a matter of a couple of matches, winning matches.

“This year I’ve had a lot of close calls. For the moment, I’m not that worried. If I finish the year somewhere around 15 in the world, maybe I will be moreworried. For the moment, I am not.”

Former top 10 regular Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered his second first-round loss of the season at a major after also crashing out at the opening hurdle in Australia.

The troubled Greek went down to French qualifier Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-2, retiring with back pains which have troubled him off and on for the past few seasons.

Upset winner Royer next takes on Adrian Mannarino, 37 whose ranking has dropped to No. 123 as the one-time atp No. 17 lost his previous seven matches before the grass season. 

Rising American Learner Tien made a winning start to his Wimbledon career with a comprehensive 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2 defeat of compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy.

Experienced countryman Frances Tiafoe advanced on Day 1 with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Dane Elmer Moller.

Despite his efficient win, Tiafoe grumbled about playing an opening match.

“I don’t like playing at 11:00 at all. You try and trick yourself into saying how much you love it. 

“It’s weird, especially to get ready for three out of five. But when you have a quick match like you have today at 1:00, you’re done. 

“It’s good things and bad things to it. I just had a feeling about (playing early).”

Early British hopes took a knock with the 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (5) defeat of Jakob Fearnley by Brazilian teenaer Joao Fonseca – youngest in the draw – playing his first main-draw match on grass.

But Cam Norrie got one back as he eliminated Spain’s veteran Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), and local wild card Arthur Fery defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.