TWO-TIME defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, avoided a seismic shock against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in the Wimbledon first round to set up a meeting with British qualifier Oliver Tarvet.
Alcaraz dug deep to win 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1 as he opened the Centre Court play on a sweltering first day of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.
The 22-year-old Spaniard quickly secured victory when an entertaining contest resumed after a 15-minute pause in the deciding set.
A spectator who had been sitting in the sun took ill, with Alcaraz going over with a bottle of cold water to help the recovery.

Alcaraz, who is the second seed behind Italian rival Jannik Sinner, struggled on serve and made uncharacteristic errors off the ground throughout a four-and-a-half hour contest in temperatures topping 32C.
In what is set to be his final Wimbledon appearance before retirement, 38-year-old Fognini twice fought back to force the decider but Alcaraz regained control to extend his winning streak to 19 matches.
Alcaraz claimed his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this month – beating Sinner in an all-time classic final – before lifting the Queen’s trophy on his return to the British grass.
Alcaraz roared in relief when he finally ended Fognini’s resistance, breaking into a broad smile and sharing a friendly embrace with his opponent.
“I tried my best but I can be better. I need to improve in the next round,” said Alcaraz.

Next he will face 21-year-old Tarvet, who gets a shot at one of sport’s superstars after beating Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi on his Wimbledon debut.
Nightmare start for Alcaraz
Coming from the sun-drenched region of Murcia, Alcaraz is well accustomed to playing in searing heat.
Nevertheless, having to start his latest title defence with a lengthy contest in such tough conditions was far from ideal.
The players expecting to go deep over the fortnight want to preserve as much energy as possible in the earlier rounds, but Alcaraz needed to dig deep into his physical and mental reserves to see off Fognini.
Alcaraz is used to playing the opening match of Wimbledon on its most iconic court – as tradition dictates the reigning men’s champion does – but lacked the freedom and fluency for which he is known.
“Playing the first match on Centre Court is never easy,” said Alcaraz.

“I’ve been practising really well and playing really well but Wimbledon is different. I could feel the difference.”
On a buzzing Centre Court where the atmosphere rarely faded despite the stifling weather, Alcaraz lost serve five times in an absorbing contest between two of the sport’s finest entertainers.