Wimbledon Day 1: Thrills and Surprises Unfold on the Court

The opening day of the Wimbledon tennis championships delivered a mix of excitement, drama, and unexpected results. Fans were treated to thrilling matches despite the soaring temperatures at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Players battled not only their opponents but also the challenging conditions.

Italy's Jasmine Paolini fought back from a set down to defeat Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova, progressing to the second round with a determined 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory. Emma Raducanu, a home favorite, dispatched fellow Briton Mimi Xu with a steady 6-3 6-3 result, expressing relief at overcoming the pressure of facing a compatriot.

Meanwhile, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faced a stern test from Italy's Fabio Fognini in a lengthy encounter. Alcaraz ultimately prevailed, clinching the deciding set 6-1 after four and a half hours. As the day unfolded, notable upsets and retirements, including Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniel Medvedev, added intrigue to the championship's first day.

(With inputs from agencies.)