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.

Carlos Alcaraz, locked in a five-set struggle at Centre Court, looked toward his coach Monday and shouted something about how Fabio Fognini — 38,