Carlos Alcaraz was seriously tested by Italian Fabio Fognini at the start of Wimbledon on Monday. The Spanish defending champion had to dig deep, but passed the test in five sets: 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6 and 6-1.
Only in the last of five sets did the 38-year-old Fognini have to admit defeat against the sixteen-year-younger Alcaraz. In the first four sets, Fognini was almost constantly able to compete with the number two in the world and was even better at times.
For example, Fognini was too strong for the Spaniard in the fourth set with 6-2. Alcaraz lost it for a moment in that set and therefore had to stay on the court even longer. The match lasted a total of 4 hours and 27 minutes in the heat in London.
During the last set, the match was interrupted for about fifteen minutes because a spectator was feeling unwell. Alcaraz quickly realized this and brought a bottle of water. The medics were then quickly on the scene.
Alcaraz is considered one of the favorites for the victory at Wimbledon. He was the best at the third Grand Slam tournament of the year last year. Then he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final. For Fognini, the meeting with Alcaraz was his last match ever at Wimbledon.
Brit misses out on a fortune, but does play against Alcaraz
Alcaraz’s next opponent is a relative unknown in the tennis circuit, but someone who is making a name for himself very quickly. It is the Briton Oliver Tarvet, who already made headlines at home and abroad earlier this week.
Tarvet won three qualifying matches and qualified for the main tournament in London. But he was not allowed to collect his deserved prize money, because the number 719 in the world plays college tennis in the United States and the university rules do not allow this.
Earlier on Monday, a new chapter was added to the fairytale of the 21-year-old Tarvet. He took advantage of his favorable draw and won in three sets (6-4, 6-4 and 6-4) against the Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi.
Now Tarvet awaits a meeting with Alcaraz. A dream poster, but not for the wallet. Tarvet may claim up to $10,000 (around €8,500) and otherwise only use his prize money to cover expenses. The remainder goes to the National Collegiate Athletic Association.