Alcaraz - Tarvet: around 9:30 p.m. today, 2/7.

Less than a month after one of the most remarkable comebacks in a Grand Slam final, defeating Jannik Sinner to win Roland Garros, Alcaraz was once again pushed into a grueling marathon in the opening round of Wimbledon. This time, the Spaniard needed over four hours and five sets to overcome 38-year-old veteran Fabio Fognini, who hadn't won a match this year.

Alcaraz celebrates his first-round victory at Wimbledon, on Centre Court at the All England Club, London, England on 30/6. Photo: Reuters

Alcaraz celebrates his first-round victory at Wimbledon, on Centre Court at the All England Club, London, England on 30/6. Photo: Reuters

Despite the difficult start to his title defense, it's not a major concern for Alcaraz, who typically elevates his game and finds his peak form in the second week of a Grand Slam rather than the initial stages. At Roland Garros, he dropped sets to Fabian Marozsan and Damir Dzumhur in the early rounds, but still secured his second consecutive title in Paris.

Alcaraz boasts an 18-0 record in Grand Slam first-round matches. In the second round, the 2003-born player has a 14-3 record. One of those losses came in his Wimbledon debut in 2021 against Daniil Medvedev.

Since then, Alcaraz has transformed into a different player on grass. Considered one of the best on this surface, he's won 26 of his last 27 matches, claiming the Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024. This year, the 22-year-old has a perfect 6-0 record on grass, including winning the Queen’s Club Championships.

While Alcaraz is on a 19-match winning streak, his opponent Oliver Tarvet has also made an impression, qualifying for the main draw as an amateur. In the first round, the recent San Diego University graduate defeated Leandro Riedi in straight sets. Tarvet became the first British player still in college to reach the main draw at Wimbledon in over a decade.

Emerging from the American NCAA system, Tarvet lacks extensive professional experience, but he has an impressive 12-1 record over the past six months. Reaching the second round at Wimbledon guarantees him a spot in the top 400, a jump of approximately 300 places. British media anticipate an upset on Centre Court today, in a tournament already marked by several surprises.

With a record 13 men's singles seeds exiting Wimbledon 2025 in the first round, the second round presents several unpredictable matchups: rising star Joao Fonseca faces Jenson Brooksby, the resurgent American player. Brooksby's compatriot, Frances Tiafoe, takes on British hope Cameron Norrie. Vietnamese-American Learner Tien will meet Nicolas Jarry, who rallied from two sets down to defeat Holger Rune in the previous round.

Notable second-round men's singles matches at Wimbledon today, 2/7:

Vy Anh