Carlos Alcaraz Braves Scorching Wimbledon's First Day

Carlos Alcaraz endured Wimbledon's most sweltering opening day on Monday, battling through more than four hours of play to overcome Fabio Fognini at the All England Club. Despite temperatures peaking at 32 degrees Celsius, the young Spaniard survived a five-set challenge, winning 7-5 6-7(5) 7-5 2-6 6-1, a match briefly halted when a spectator needed medical attention due to the heat.

Women's top seed Aryna Sabalenka swiftly subdued Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine, showcasing resilience on a tough day for other players. Daniil Medvedev's journey ended prematurely, and Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew due to a back injury. Meanwhile, British players celebrated a noteworthy day, with seven securing wins, as the scorching heat turned into a key opponent at Wimbledon.

Amid the challenging conditions, several women's matches shone. Amanda Anisimova notably defeated Yulia Putintseva with a flawless 'double-bagel' 6-0 6-0 score. Elina Svitolina and other high-seeded players successfully navigated their matches, though Tunisia's Ons Jabeur was forced to retire due to illness in a dramatic opening day of the iconic tennis tournament.

(With inputs from agencies.)