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Carlos Alcaraz starts Wimbledon hat-trick hunt with tricky Fognini encounter, early Azarenka hurdle possible for Gauff

Novak Djokovic will resume his hunt for a 25th Grand Slam title with what could be his last outing at Wimbledon

Seven-time champion Djokovic must defy age and the odds in what may be the 38-year-old's best opportunity to claim an elusive 25th Grand Slam crown after losing to Alcaraz in the previous two title clashes at the All England Club. (AP Photo)

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his bid for a third consecutive Wimbledon title with a tricky opening match against the volatile Fabio Fognini at Centre Court when the tournament begins Monday. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, who won the women’s singles title at the French Open by beating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, faces the possibility of facing two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the second round and a rematch with 28th seed Sofia Kenin in the third. Kenin eliminated Gauff in the opening round at Wimbledon two years ago.

The potential men’s quarterfinals in the draw, which was declared on Friday are: No. 1 Jannik Sinner against No. 7 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 4 Jack Draper against No. 6 Novak Djokovic — who has won seven of his 24 major trophies at the All England Club — No. 2 Alcaraz against No. 8 Holger Rune, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev against No. 5 Taylor Fritz.

Seven-time champion Djokovic must defy age and the odds in what may be the 38-year-old’s best opportunity to claim an elusive 25th Grand Slam crown after losing to Alcaraz in the previous two title clashes at the All England Club.

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Alcaraz and Sinner can only meet in the final. If that happens, it will be a repeat of the record-breaking French Open earlier this year in which the former won after a gruelling five hours and 29 minutes.

The possible women’s quarterfinals are: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 6 Madison Keys, and No. 4 Jasmine Paolini vs. No. 5 Zheng Qinwen in the top half, and No. 2 Coco Gauff vs. No. 8 Iga Swiatek or 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, and No. 3 Jessica Pegula vs. No. 7 Mirra Andreeva in the bottom half.

Gauff, coming off her second major title at the French Open, will open Wimbledon on Tuesday against Dayana Yastremska, a 2024 Australian Open semifinalist. Sabalenka, meanwhile, begins her campaign with a match against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine, and could meet 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun in the second round and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu or 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the third.