Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Wimbledon match.
Fabio Fognini, now 38, couldn’t have drawn a tougher first-round opponent at what is likely his final Wimbledon. The Italian veteran faces Carlos Alcaraz, who recently claimed another Roland Garros title.
Fabio Fognini
Fognini’s recent form on grass gives little cause for optimism. He’s lost all three matches on the surface this season, including a straight-sets defeat to world No. 461 Arthur Fery (3:6, 6:7). His struggles on return have been glaring — in a recent match against Daniel Altmaier, he conceded 10 aces, highlighting his difficulty reading strong servers.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz, meanwhile, opted for a brief break after his Paris success, playing just one grass tournament — but made it count. The Spaniard lifted the title at Queen’s Club, dispatching Jiri Lehecka in the final (7:5, 6:7, 6:2). Across that tournament, Alcaraz averaged 12 aces per match, showcasing his ever-improving serve and command on quicker courts.
Fabio Fognini vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
This match pits two players at vastly different stages of their careers. Alcaraz is not only the superior athlete and shot-maker, but he’s also tactically astute enough to keep things short and conserve energy for the later rounds. Given Fognini’s poor movement on grass and fading form, this is unlikely to be a drawn-out battle.
