Peering on from the front row of the Royal Box, Sir Gareth Southgate would have appreciated Carlos Alcaraz’s slog into the second round, at the same time as assuring those around him – including another of the freshly knighted in Sir David Beckham – that it is perfectly fine to perform like dross in the early stages,

The two-time defending champ eventually asserts himself in the last set to pick up a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory amid record-breaking Day 1 heat at the oldest Grand Slam tournament.

Defending champion Alcaraz was erratic and inconsistent against inspired Italian Fognini, but eventually triumphed in an enthralling first match of the tournament on Centre Court