The 2025 Championships at Wimbledon are upon us as the All England Club opens its doors to the tennis world once again.
Carlos Alcaraz is eyeing a third consecutive title at SW19, and opened up proceedings on Centre Court on Monday by edging past Italian journeyman Fabio Fognini in a five-set thriller.
On the women’s side, Emma Raducanu begun her Wimbledon campaign on Court 1 with a straight sets victory against British wild card Mingge Xu, while British No 2 Katie Boulter overcame ninth seed Paula Badosa in the second match on Centre Court - just her fourth victory over a top 10 player in her career.
Alexander Zverev’s clash with Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech was a set apiece when play was suspended due to the 11pm curfew, while the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Maddison Keys and Cameron Norrie were also victorious on the opening day.
Follow live coverage of Wimbledon with The Independent’s live blog below:
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WIMBLEDON 2025 - DAY 1 LATEST UPDATES
- Wimbledon 2025 begins on Monday 30 June
- Carlos Alcaraz edges Fabio Fognini in five-set thriller on Centre Court
- Emma Raducanu beats compatriot Mimi Xu in straight sets
- Katie Boulter stuns ninth-seed Paula Badosa to progress
- Alexander Zverev’s clash with Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech goes into Day 2 at a set apiece
- Stefanos Tsitsipas retires injured in Wimbledon first round
- PREVIEW: Why Wimbledon is desperate for top billing in the Alcaraz-Sinner arms race
Why does Wimbledon have a curfew?
23:33
,
Will Castle
Wimbledon is back but unlike the three other grand slams, there will be no late-night finishes at the Championships.
Last year’s French Open saw Novak Djokovic play until after 3am in the morning, while at the Australian Open at the start of 2024 Daniil Medvedev did not complete a five-set comeback until 3:39am.
Centre Court and No. 1 Court have used their roofs to ensure extra tennis is played late into the evening. But there is a limit to how late the action can last at SW19, even with the roof and floodlights able to give fans an extended day out.
Here’s everything you need to know about the curfew:
Taylor Fritz fights back
23:02
,
Will Castle
If you were wondering how things ended up finishing over on Court One, Taylor Fritz has recovered from a two-set deficit to bring his clash with Giovanni Mpetshi Perrican on terms going into a fifth set.
Play was suspended there some time ago, so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how that plays out.
SET & PLAY SUSPENDED! Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (10-8) Arthur Rinderknech
22:57
,
Will Castle
And we’re level!
Zverev finally gets a mini-break against Rinderknech’s serve, and he makes it count as his first serve balloons off the edge of the Frenchman’s racket and bounces out.
That’s all she wrote from a thrilling first day at Wimbledon as play is suspended minutes before the 11am curfew!
TIEBREAK! Alexander Zverev 7-7 Arthur Rinderknech
22:52
,
Will Castle
Another set point comes and goes for Rinderknech as powerful first serve is met with no return.
TIEBREAK! Alexander Zverev 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
22:51
,
Will Castle
A huge return from Zverev looks to put Rinderknech in danger of being broken, but he keeps things alive and manages to claw out the point.
But under the pressure, Zverev survives yet another set point to take this to 6-6.
TIEBREAK! Alexander Zverev 4-5 Arthur Rinderknech
22:49
,
Will Castle
After being unable to return Rinderknech’s first serve, Zverev has a chance for a mini-break as he gets his forehand in play.
However, Rinderknech is equal to it and moves close before firing a passing shot beyond the German, reacting with a bellowing roar.
TIEBREAK! Alexander Zverev 4-3 Arthur Rinderknech
22:47
,
Will Castle
Just like during the rest of this match, neither man is giving an inch on serve.
Rinderknech piledrives both his efforts to little return before Zverev does the same.
TIEBREAK! Alexander Zverev 2-1 Arthur Rinderknech
22:45
,
Will Castle
Zverev wins the first point on Rinderknech’s serve but the Frenchman cancels that mini-break out, leaving the German 2-1 to the good rather than 3-0.
*Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech
22:40
,
Will Castle
Blink and you’ll miss it, Rinderknech bounces back from his break near-miss with an emphatic service game, holding to love.
It’s not quite as straightforward for Zverev, who concedes early into his serve but eventually holds to 15.
We go to another tiebreak!
*Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 5-5 Arthur Rinderknech
22:36
,
Will Castle
A set point goes awry for Rinderknech after forcing an error with a strong forehand, only able to slap a backhand onto the net cord to give Zverev a reprieve.
A thunderous ace from the German follows before Rinderknech nets again for Zverev to hold!
*Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 4-5 Arthur Rinderknech
22:32
,
Will Castle
The first proper hint at a break we’ve had in a while!
Rinderknech storms into a 0-30 lead, slapping overhead before walloping a wonderful forehand to go within two points of taking the second set.
Zverev responds with three big serves to regain control at 40-30, but can’t get the game over the line quiet yet as a hotly contested rally ends with him netting a drop shot return.
Deuce to come. Whatever happens, this set will be the final action of Wimbledon’s opening day.
Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 4-5 Arthur Rinderknech*
22:28
,
Will Castle
Zverev needs to make his tennis in open play count if he’s going to break Rinderknech here.
Two chances to nick precious points on defence go awry, the first being a passing shot down the right that went just wide, the second a wild cross court effort that flew beyond the tramlines.
Rinderknech capitalises on the errors and holds to 15.
*Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 4-4 Arthur Rinderknech
22:23
,
Will Castle
It feels like we’re kind of stuck in a cycle. Both are dominating on serve with little prospect of breaking.
Zverev holds again. You imagine this will be the last set of the night.
Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 3-4 Arthur Rinderknech*
22:19
,
Will Castle
How does Zverev go about overcoming the imperious Rinderknech serve?
The Frenchman holds again to love, with his final serve clocking in at 136mph.
Zverev doesn’t have much of an answer on defence at the moment.
Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 2-3 Arthur Rinderknech*
22:13
,
Will Castle
Zverev holds to love, but any satisfaction is soon wiped off the face of the German as Rinderknech fires a forehand off the net cord while on serve, with it dribbling over the net to the Frenchman’s advanatge.
The look on Zverev’s face there was one of wanting more than an apology.
Internal rage does not spark a fightback on this occasion for Zverev, as Rinderknech also holds to love.
Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 1-2 Arthur Rinderknech*
22:09
,
Will Castle
Both trade relatively straightforward holds, with Rinderknech remaining ever-resilient to the frustration of Zverev.
The Frenchman won’t want to stop playing in this form. But in 52 minutes, he’ll have to.
Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 0-1 Arthur Rinderknech*
22:01
,
Will Castle
Rinderknech’s ability to survive the break scare currently knows no bounds.
Zverev looks to respond immediately to going a set down as he drills a backhand return straight past the Frenchman off serve.
However, Rinderknech doesn’t let that intimidate him and comes back to force deuce, emerging victorious from that scenario for what feels like the fourth or fifth time in this match so far.
An important hold off the back of his tiebreak triumph.
SET! *Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) Arthur Rinderknech
21:53
,
Will Castle
Zverev hints at a fightback, but and after a back-and-forth rally, it’s a unforced error into the net by the third-seed that seals the set for Rinderknech!
It surely won’t finish before the 11pm curfew - but could this be the beginning of a major shock?
TIEBREAK! Alexander Zverev 1-6 Arthur Rinderknech*
21:50
,
Will Castle
Zverev has dominated this set, but is on the verge of giving away the first.
Rinderknech’s power has been too much to handle and he now has FIVE set points.
TIEBREAK! *Alexander Zverev 0-4 Arthur Rinderknech
21:47
,
Will Castle
Rinderknech draws first blood in the tiebreak! A lovely drop shot completes the mini-break as he storms into a 3-0 lead.
He then delivers a delightful drop shot that Zverev chooses to leave, but it just creeps in front of the baseline to give him clear daylight.
Alexander Zverev 6-6 Arthur Rinderknech*
21:45
,
Will Castle
Dominance again on serve for Zverev. He holds to love.
But it’s an easier service game for Rinderknech, who storms into a 40-0 lead. He has to duck out of a forehand close to the net from Zverev, which very nearly hits him in the head - it ends up going long, so it was even more important that he avoided it.
He holds to 15, forcing a tiebreak - an impressive feat given the five break points he’s had to defend this set.
Alexander Zverev 5-5 Arthur Rinderknech*
21:41
,
Will Castle
On serve, Zverev is proving pretty formidable. Rinderknech is finding it hard to get any success against the powerful deliveries.
The Frenchman is nevertheless holding firm when it matters. Zverev could have taken the set with a break there and hinted at doing so, going 15-30 up. But he survives yet again and keeps the first alive.
Alexander Zverev 4-4 Arthur Rinderknech*
21:32
,
Will Castle
That’s a fifth break point Rinderknech has survived there. Just when Zverev thinks he might have his number, the Frenchman brings out a monster serve to quell those hopes of drawing blood in this first set.
He holds expertly, reading Zverev to go close to the net before slicing a deft volley over the net which the German can’t get to.
Rinderknech is becoming familiar with being forced to deuce on serve. The question is, how long can he keep letting his service games go to the wire without slipping?
Elsewhere at Wimbledon
21:28
,
Will Castle
Rinderknech may be taking inspiration from compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who is on course to deliver one of the shocks of the first round and currently finds himself two sets up on fifth-seed Taylor Fritz.
Perricard has emerged victorious in two tiebreaks but now needs to fend off the American’s comeback, having broken him in the third.
Alexander Zverev 3-3 Arthur Rinderknech*
21:23
,
Will Castle
After another simple hold for Zverev, the German tries to put Rinderknech in a spot of bother and once more forces him to deuce.
The Frenchman holds firm again, however, and is definitely winning over what remains of the Centre Court crowd.
Alexander Zverev 2-2 Arthur Rinderknech*
21:14
,
Will Castle
Zverev looks to be on the verge of drawing first blood as he storms into a 0-40 lead on defence.
However, Rinderknech puts on a serving masterclass to save three break points before winning another two more to hold impressively.
“That’ll be depressing if you’re a Zverev follower,” says John McEnroe on commentary.
*Alexander Zverev 2-1 Arthur Rinderknech
21:07
,
Will Castle
Rinderknech is a big server, and demonstrates that off the bat as he barely breaks a sweat to hold to love.
Zverev responds with a far more straightforward service game, serving out with an ace to hold to 15.
*Alexander Zverev 1-0 Arthur Rinderknech
21:01
,
Will Castle
Early test for Zverev as Rinderknech comes back from 0-30 down to have two opportunities at an early break.
The German survives both and manages to hold eventually. Might take a minute for the world number three to get into the swing of things, it seems.
*Alexander Zverev 0-0 Arthur Rinderknech
20:55
,
Will Castle
At 8:53pm local time, our third and final match on Centre Court is underway!
Alexander Zverev to serve.
Emma Raducanu books spot in Wimbledon second round with routine win over Mimi Xu
20:44
,
Will Castle
While defending champion Carlos Alcaraz became ensnared in a five-set epic against the maverick Fabio Fognini, over on Wimbledon’s second show court, another former US Open champion was showing him how first-round matches at grand slams are supposed to go.
In fact, his future doubles partner: Emma Raducanu. The pair’s paths have diverged quite considerably since breakout seasons as teenagers, Raducanu winning a maiden major in Flushing Meadows in 2021, Alcaraz following suit the year after.
The Brit has never been able to replicate the highs of that stunning major win, but is back in the world’s top 40 after a more consistent first half of the season, and back in the British No 1 spot.
Flo Clifford from Wimbledon:
Still to come
20:42
,
Will Castle
Don’t forget, we’ve still got another match on Centre Court to come tonight.
With the sun already setting on SW19, German men's third seed Alexander Zverev is preparing to take on France's Arthur Rinderknech in a match that will surely not finish before the 11pm curfew.
GAME, SET & MATCH! Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 6-4 Paula Badosa*
20:34
,
Will Castle
KATIE BOULTER WINS ON CENTRE COURT!
Boulter fights tooth and nail to seal only her fourth win against a top 10 opponent, with Badosa netting to seal the Brit’s victory!
She’s the seventh British winner today. It’s been a good start to Wimbledon for the home favourites!
Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 5-4 Paula Badosa*
20:32
,
Will Castle
That is terrific from Boulter! She gets Badosa on the defensive and after playing her around the court, fires a forehand return to storm into a 0-30 lead.
Badosa then goes long to give her three match points. It’s within touching distance for the Brit...
Why does Wimbledon have a curfew?
23:00
,
Will Castle
Wimbledon is back but unlike the three other grand slams, there will be no late-night finishes at the Championships.
Last year’s French Open saw Novak Djokovic play until after 3am in the morning, while at the Australian Open at the start of 2024 Daniil Medvedev did not complete a five-set comeback until 3:39am.
Centre Court and No. 1 Court have used their roofs to ensure extra tennis is played late into the evening. But there is a limit to how late the action can last at SW19, even with the roof and floodlights able to give fans an extended day out.
Here’s why Wimbledon has a curfew:
*Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 5-4 Paula Badosa
20:30
,
Will Castle
A scare for Boulter as she allows a 40-0 service game to slip to 40-30, all sparked by a double fault.
She’s on the defensive in the next point as Badosa comes to the net, but the Spaniard fluffs her volley to allow Boulter to seal a crucial hold.
Centre Court breathes a sigh of relief. Badosa is serving to stay in this...
Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 4-4 Paula Badosa*
20:27
,
Will Castle
Big cheers as Boulter drives a passing backhand beyond Badosa to tie the score at 30-30. Could this be the Brit’s chance to seal the all-important break?
Not this time as she fails return Badosa’s next two first serves, netting both as the Spaniard holds.
*Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 4-3 Paula Badosa
20:22
,
Will Castle
In the first set, Boulter was a level above Badosa. In the second, it was vice versa.
Now, there’s very little to separate the pair. Both hold with relative ease, Badosa to 30, while Boulter to 15.
Who’s going to blink first?
*Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 3-2 Paula Badosa
20:17
,
Will Castle
Badosa doesn’t take long to level the score and holds comfortably to 15, just guiding the ball into the corner to seal the game.
Boulter hits back with a hold to 15 of her own, showing off great defensive work before forcing the Spaniard from corner to corner, drawing the eventual error.
Every point counts at this stage!
*Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 2-1 Paula Badosa
20:10
,
Will Castle
With the score at 30-30, the best point of the match is won by Boulter to further lift Centre Court, stretching to stay in it before reading Badosa like a book. She goes from one corner to the other and blasts a superb passing forehand past the Spaniard.
Badosa bites back to force deuce but Boulter is able to serve out the game. She’s battling here.
BREAK! *Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 1-1 Paula Badosa
20:02
,
Will Castle
A couple big opportunities to break back immediately come and go as Badosa holds firm - but as the third comes, Boulter makes no mistake!
She stays in it for long enough for Badosa to net - and just like that, momentum is swinging back in the Brit’s favour!
BREAK! *Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 0-1 Paula Badosa
19:53
,
Will Castle
Dangerous waters for Boulter as she falls 0-30 down before responding with an ace.
This doesn’t act to knock Badosa out of kilter, who wins the next to get two break points.
Boulter fights back, however, saving both before surviving a third and a fourth at deuce.
But as a fifth break opportunity comes, Boulter’s resolve gives way as she fires a loose forehand wide. Badosa breaks.
SET! Katie Boulter 6-2 3-6 Paula Badosa*
19:43
,
Will Castle
Badosa withstands the extra pressure with ease and serves out the set to love, finishing it off with a superb passing forehand into the corner.
We go to a deciding set!
Katie Boulter 6-2 3-5 Paula Badosa*
19:42
,
Will Castle
Huge roar from the Boulter-partisan crowd as she seals a potentially pivotal hold.
She still needs to break Badosa on her next serve, but the pressure will be on the Spaniard.
BREAK! Katie Boulter 6-2 2-5 Paula Badosa*
19:39
,
Will Castle
Safe to say the mood inside Centre Court has changed.
Badosa gets the double break as another double fault for Boulter comes back to punish her.
However, the Brit has survived the prospect of Badosa serving out the set, breaking back to maybe put a tinge of doubt in the mind of the Spaniard.
Katie Boulter 6-2 1-4 Paula Badosa*
19:31
,
Will Castle
Another big cheer from Badosa as she backs up her break and holds to 30.
The tide has begun to turn in the ninth-seed’s favour.
BREAK! *Katie Boulter 6-2 1-3 Paula Badosa
19:27
,
Will Castle
Cracks begin to show for the first time from Boulter as Badosa breezes through her service game before forcing the Brit to deuce on defence.
Boulter’s serving has been near impeccable so far, but it’s a double fault that proves her downfall, before another unforced error seals the break for Badosa.
A huge scream erupts from the Spaniard. She’s in the mood now.
*Katie Boulter 6-2 1-1 Paula Badosa
19:19
,
Will Castle
Really good hold from Badosa as she fights back from 15-30 down to win the opening game of the second, serving it out with an ace on the line.
It’s not as emphatic as the service game that ensues, mind you. Flawless from Boulter as she holds to love once more.
The Brit will take some beating this evening.
SET! *Katie Boulter 6-2 Paula Badosa
19:12
,
Will Castle
No sign of nerves for Boulter who serves out the set to love!
A perfect first set to kickstart her Wimbledon campaign.
Katie Boulter 5-2 Paula Badosa*
19:10
,
Will Castle
Badosa might be finding her range as she fights back to 30-30 on Boulter’s serve with some big shots. The Brit is nevertheless able to see out the game and back up he double-break.
Boulter then gets a set point on Badosa’s serve but can’t see it out, with the Spaniard forcing deuce and eventually sealing a hard-fought hold.
BREAK! Katie Boulter 4-1 Paula Badosa*
19:01
,
Will Castle
Another straightforward hold for Boulter, who is looking calm and composed on Centre Court, already in the swing of things now that the sun is no longer blazing on the grass.
It’s the opposite to Badosa, who is falling foul of unforced errors and gives Boulter another opportunity to break.
The Spaniard doesn’t even make her work for it, double faulting to allow Boulter race into a 4-1 lead!
Emma Raducanu into the second round
18:58
,
Flo Clifford
Mimi Xu dug deep to hold serve, forcing Raducanu to serve for the match, and from 0-30 down the British No 1 sealed it.
“I’m super pleased to have come through, it’s so difficult playing another Brit first up. Mimi is a really dangerous player, she’s so young and she’s got some weapons at her disposal.”
She thanks the crowd for their support “on both sides” - “It was a really nice atmosphere.
“I had some really good patches and I had some moments where I lost my focus. I’m really happy with how I toughed it out and won the important points today.
“I’m glad people were having fun today - I saw a champagne cork fly onto the court, cheers to you! I love playing in this atmosphere, it’s my favourite tournament by far.” Lots of applause as she heads to sign autographs and make her way off court.
BREAK! Katie Boulter 2-1 Paula Badosa
18:53
,
Will Castle
Boulter battles from behind to prevent an early break and hold her first serve.
Badosa looks on course for a straightforward hold again - but once more, Boulter fights back, forcing deuce with a sublime backhand return before a double fault gives her a break point.
She takes the opportunity gladly and draws first blood!
Emma Raducanu backs up the break
18:47
,
Flo Clifford
Despite the best efforts of some idiot punter’s alarm going off in the crowd, Raducanu - from 40-0 up - eventually holds to 30.
She now leads 6-3, 5-2, and is a game away from a place in the second round.
Katie Boulter in action on Centre Court
18:45
,
Will Castle
We turn our attention back to Centre Court now with British No 2 Katie Boulter finally in action against ninth-seed Paula Badosa.
She’s had to wait a while, and Centre has all but emptied out after that exhausting epic between Alcaraz and Fognini. Here’s hoping the fans have just gone for a breather.
Badosa has held her first serve, and is now 15-30 up on defence.
Emma Raducanu breaks again
18:43
,
Flo Clifford
A swift break to love and Raducanu is back on top in this topsy-turvy second set.
Mimi Xu breaks back!
18:40
,
Flo Clifford
The rollercoaster continues! Two double faults put Raducanu under pressure, and Xu eventually breaks back - again! Raducanu leads 6-3, 3-2.
Emma Raducanu breaks again
18:33
,
Flo Clifford
Three breaks on the trot in this one as Raducanu wrestles back control, breaking Mimi Xu for a 3-1 lead in this second set. Can she back up the break this time?
Carlos Alcaraz stutters to opening Wimbledon win in five-set epic against Fabio Fognini
18:31
,
Will Castle
It’s doubtful Carlos Alcaraz will need to be told. If the effervescent, at times mesmerising, 22-year-old Spaniard wants to claim his third consecutive Wimbledon title, he’ll have to play a damn sight better than he did here on day one. For tennis’s hottest property, this was a stutter of a start.
Gasps were aplenty at last Friday’s draw ceremony when wily old fox Fabio Fognini was picked to face the defending champion. The old-school maverick is entering his final months on tour and, at the age of 38, seemed a routine first round conquest for Alcaraz, himself on an 18-match win-streak following his French Open triumph against Jannik Sinner. Yet the inspired Italian thrived in a final big-match moment here, conducting the 15,000 in attendance with a brash arrogance even if, in the end, he came up short.
Ultimately, Alcaraz prevailed in five captivating sets, emerging triumphant via a 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 scoreline, over four-and-a-half hours, on the hottest opening day in Wimbledon history. New knights of the realm Gareth Southgate and David Beckham endured their fair share of unconvincing victories in England colours and they witnessed another one here, perched in the front row of the Royal Box.
Kieran Jackson reports from Wimbledon:
Mimi Xu breaks back
18:29
,
Flo Clifford
What’s this?! Raducanu races to 40-0 on serve courtesy of some brilliant serving but is pegged back to deuce - and Xu breaks back at the first time of asking!
Alcaraz gives departing Fognini his flowers
18:27
,
Will Castle
This was Fabio Fognini’s last ever match at Wimbledon before bidding farewell to the sport. After that performance, Carlos Alcaraz isn’t sure why!
“I don’t know why this is his last Wimbledon, he can still play,” he said. “Unbelievable, I have to give him the credit. A great match, he’s a great player.
“A little bit sad that it’s his last Wimbledon but happy to have shared the court with him so many times.”
Emma Raducanu breaks in second set
18:26
,
Flo Clifford
Mimi Xu has grown into this match but has her resistance been broken? She had chances to hold in a mammoth service game but was eventually broken after multiple deuces.
Emma Raducanu leads the teenager 6-3, 2-0.
GAME SET & MATCH! *Carlos Alcaraz 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1 Fabio Fognini
18:20
,
Will Castle
CARLOS ALCARAZ GETS IT DONE!
In a back-and-forth final game fitting of the match as a whole, Alcaraz holds to 15 to put an all-time classic Wimbledon first rounder to bed.
Fognini pushed the second seed to the limit, but when the pressure was on, Alcaraz’s quality shone through.
What. A. Match.
Carlos Alcaraz 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 5-1 Fabio Fognini*
18:16
,
Will Castle
Fogioni holds to 30 after another nervy service game in this fifth set.
He’s on the board. Now, an on-fire Alcaraz serves for the match.
Elsewhere at Wimbledon
18:12
,
Flo Clifford
Elsewhere, Felix Auger-Aliassime has finally won that five-set epic against James Duckworth.
Harriet Dart is now locked in a decider against Dalma Galfi, having split the first two sets 6-3 each.
Marketa Vondrousova has been pegged back to 5-4 from a 3-0 lead, after taking the first set 6-1, but she’s serving for the match now.
And Henry Searle - boys’ champion here two years ago - is staring down the barrel of defeat, 5-1 down to Ethan Quinn in the fourth set and two sets to one down.
*Carlos Alcaraz 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 5-0 Fabio Fognini
18:12
,
Will Castle
The wind is fully in Alcaraz’s sails now!
Ace after ace, unreturned serve after unreturned serve, and the Spaniard holds to love.
He looked really out of sorts after the fourth set, but Alcaraz is now on the verge of getting through the first round unscathed.
BREAK! Carlos Alcaraz 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 4-0 Fabio Fognini*
18:10
,
Will Castle
After over four hours of play, Alcaraz might be finally running away with this!
Fognini looks on course to a straightforward hold as he takes a 40-0 lead, but some sloppy first serves sees Alcaraz eat into that advantage.
At 40-30, he puts too much on a drop shot, allowing Alcaraz to chase it down and fire an unreturnable shot from close range. Fognini has been taken to deuce, and he’s rattled.
Alcaraz gets the chance to break but gets wrong-footed by a passing forehand. With a second break point, though, there’s no mistake from Alcaraz as he gets over the line!
Emma Raducanu takes the first set
18:09
,
Flo Clifford
Brisk and businesslike from Emma Raducanu, who takes the first set 6-3 against Welsh teenager Mimi Xu.
The former US Open champion has a laugh with someone in the crowd, who’s just popped a champagne cork that’s flown over her head and into the service box.
Raducanu takes to the court again to practice some serves while we wait for Xu to come back, as she’s headed off court for a reset.
Update from Centre Court
18:05
,
Will Castle
The spectator looks to be alright as they’re helped out of the stands - and after 15 minutes, we’re about to get back underway.
No three-minute warm-up - they’re opting to just throw themselves straight back into the action.
Elsewhere at SW19
17:55
,
Flo Clifford
Billy Harris has joined Oliver Tarvet as British men into the second round, having swept aside Dusan Lajovic 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Henry Searle now trails by two sets to one against American Ethan Quinn.
Harriet Dart is a set up against Hungary’s Dalma Galfi, while 14th seed Andrey Rublev is two sets to love up against Laslo Djere.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is having a typically difficult time of things on grass, locked in a fifth set against Australian James Duckworth. The Canadian 25th seed leads by a break in the decider.
And 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova is making light work of 32nd seed and Nottingham champion McCartney Kessler. She’s up 6-1, 3-0.
Spectator falls ill on Centre Court, play paused
17:52
,
Will Castle
There’s a pause in play while a spectator, sitting in the sun, is treated by medics.
A reminder to stay hydrated in this searing heat.
