Stan Wawrinka described his marathon second round victory at the Australian Open as a special moment in his career after becoming the first 40-year-old to reach the third round of a men’s grand slam in 48 years.
Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of the season, survived a five-set epic against France’s Arthur Gea, recovering from 2-1 down in sets to win 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) after 4 hours and 33 minutes.
When asked where this win ranks in his career, the 2014 Australian Open champion said: “Never compare the past. That’s really never a good idea. For me, I always try to stay in the present and live with what’s happening in the present.”
“Of course, after a tough year like last year, knowing that it’s my last one here, my last Australian Open, my last year, it’s very special. The emotions are really very different. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe. But it’s the reason why at 40 I’m still pushing myself, pushing the limits, practicing hard in the off-season, it’s to live those moments.”
Wawrinka will get a shot at a top contender when he faces ninth seed Taylor Fritz in round three. Fritz, who is battling a knee injury, made progress with a quiet 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 win over Vit Kopriva.
“I’m excited about it,” Fritz said. “I think it’s going to be a fun match. Obviously I’ve looked up to Stan for a long time. I know he plays well. I practiced with him in Perth at the United Cup. His average time on court per match this year must be something insane because even in the United Cup he was fighting long three-setters every match. Yes, the level and physicality he still brings is so impressive.”
There were no problems on Thursday for Jannik Sinner, second seed and defending champion, and ten-time champion Novak Djokovic. Sinner got past Australian James Duckworth to win 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 and Djokovic dismissed Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek continued to build momentum at the bottom of the women’s tournament, beating Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the third round, where she will face 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya. Swiatek said her goal for the 2026 season is to be kinder to herself by resting more.
“My goal for this year [is] to even go somewhere and just rest and do nothing because I tend to do other things like off-court commitments. “There are clearly things that need to be done. I’m also taking quite a lot off my shoulders. My goal for this season is actually to unplug a little bit better. Hopefully I’ll have more energy until the end of the season.”
Tenth seed Belinda Bencic fell 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 to 19-year-old qualifier Nikola Bartunkova, the first major setback in the women’s draw.
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