Fognini says goodbye to Wimbledon as a lion: he fights and puts on a show, he loses to Alcaraz in 5 sets

He said goodbye to the grass of Wimbledon in his own way, losing in the fifth but with the determination of a lion, of a veteran to beat. From Fabio Fognini : experience, genius and wildness. The fifteenth and final appearance at Wimbledon of the Ligurian tennis player was a succession of twists and turns, with spectacular exchanges worthy of the Centre Court of the All England Tennis Club. On the other side of the net was the world number 2, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion, the man to beat. In the end, the 22-year-old from Murcia prevailed with a score of 7-5 6-7 7-5 2-6 6-1.

On the eve of the match, the Spanish champion said: "It's a great feeling to come back here to Wimbledon as the defending champion. I'm really excited to start the tournament."

Among the Azzurri, Luciano Darderi takes home a battle and advances to the second round of Wimbledon. The Italian-Argentine, number 59 in the ranking, beat the Russian Roman Safiullin, number 75 in the world and stopped in the quarterfinals in 2023 by Jannik Sinner, with the score of 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-1 in 3 hours and 52 minutes.

Wimbledon also starts with unexpected knockouts. Daniil Medvedev is immediately out in the first round: this is the first news of the day at Wimbledon. The Russian, number 9 in the world, says goodbye to the third Slam of the current season starting today on the grass of the All England Club in London, losing on Cort 2 against the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, number 64 in the ATP ranking, in three hours and 10 minutes with the score of 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Stefanos Tsitsipas , number 26 in the world with 12 titles won, is out immediately in the first round in London. The Greek, 26, withdrew due to a back problem after losing the second set against the Frenchman, number 113 in the world, Valentin Royer. Holger Rune also exits the scene in his debut at Wimbledon, the third Slam of the current season on the grass courts of London. The Dane, seeded number 8 in the tournament, was overtaken by the Chilean Nicolas Jarry, number 143 in the world, who won in the fifth set with the score of 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 4-6 in three hours and 33 minutes of play.