Stan Wawrinka kept his farewell season alive with a marathon victory at the Australian Open on Thursday, outlasting French qualifier Arthur Gea 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(3) in four hours and 33 minutes. The 40-year-old Swiss became the oldest man to reach the third round at Melbourne Park since Ken Rosewall did so at 44 in 1978.
Wawrinka’s Journey in the Australian Open
The former world No. 3, who won his first of three Grand Slam titles in Melbourne in 2014, plans to retire at the end of the season. This latest triumph was his 58th five-set match, the most by any player in the Open Era, and improved his record in such matches to 31 wins and 27 losses. His experience proved decisive against the 21-year-old Gea, who was playing his first five-setter at tour level.
Wawrinka has now advanced to the Australian Open third round for the 12th time. He will face world No. 9 Taylor Fritz next. Wawrinka expressed that he felt exhausted but energized by the crowd as he tries to extend his final run in Melbourne as long as possible. The support from fans has been a significant motivator, driving him to give his all in each match.
As he continues to compete at a high level, Wawrinka’s legacy in tennis is undoubtedly cemented. His remarkable ability to perform under pressure, especially in five-set matches, showcases his resilience and determination. Fans around the world are eager to see how far he can go in this tournament, hoping for one last memorable run from a true tennis champion.