Australian Open
Wawrinka wins five-set thriller to go back years and reach Australian Open R3
Former world number 3 is the oldest man to reach the third round since 1978
January 22, 2026
Stan Wawrinka enters the third round in Melbourne for the first time since 2020.
By Jerome Coombe
Stan Wawrinka added another memorable moment to his farewell season at the Australian Open on Thursday afternoon, writing his name into the record books again.
The 40-year-old Swiss battled past determined French qualifier Arthur Gea (4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(3)) in a gripping battle lasting four hours and 33 minutes to become the oldest man to reach the third round at Melbourne Park since Ken Rosewall achieved the feat at the age of 44 in 1978. The former world number 3, who lifted his first of three Grand Slam trophies at the 2014 Australian Open, will retire at the end of the season.
“Exhausted… Like I said, it’s my last Australian Open, so I’m trying to hold on as long as I can,” Wawrinka said in his on-court interview. ‘I’m not young anymore, so I need you [crowd] energy. It’s a great feeling to be on this field and receive so much great support.”
NOT DONE YET! 🫶@stanwawrinka #AusOpen2026 pic.twitter.com/L6PWpzJy5r
— ATP tour (@atptour) January 22, 2026
The marathon victory marked Wawrinka’s 58th five-set match (31–27), the most by any player in the Open Era, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Based on his vast experience, he got past 21-year-old Gea, who was playing his first five-set match at tour level.
Wawrinka advances to the third round in Melbourne for the twelfth time in his career and will next face the number 9 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Taylor Fritz.
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