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.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Carlos Alcaraz Thanks Fabio Fognini for 'Incredible' First Round Wimbledon Match.

Defending champion Alcaraz was erratic and inconsistent against inspired Italian Fognini, but eventually triumphed in an enthralling first match of the tournament on Centre Court