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.

Alcaraz hopes to become the first player on the men's tour since Bjorn Borg to complete the French Open-Wimbledon double in consecutive years. Alcaraz is only the third defending Wimbledon champion all-time to be taken to five sets in the first round of the following year's Grand Slam.