Wawrinka Turns Back the Clock, Makes AO History with Five-Set Win

Stan Wawrinka has turned his Australian Open wild card into pure emotional gold.

The 40-year-old Swiss, the 2014 champion in Melbourne, fought through a four hour and 33-minute battle on Day 5, defeating 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea, 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-6(3), to become the oldest player to reach the third round at a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall in 1978.

“Yeah, was a tough battle. When you win 7-6 in the fifth, it’s always a few points there and that,” Wawrinka said. “I’m happy with the ending. Of course, it was important to stay positive to the match. The atmosphere and the support was amazing. Really helped me to really stay active during those four hours.”

The three-time major champion drove Kia Arena wild with his spirited rally from two sets to one down. He is the first player aged 40 or older to win a five-set match at a major since 1977.

How did he feel after his magnificent performance?

“Exhausted,” Wawrinka told the crowd. “As I told you, it’s my last Australian Open, so I’m trying to last as long as possible.”

Wawrinka dominated the final-set tiebreak after a trade of breaks early in the deciding set, winning eight of the final nine points and racing through the final five.

He has now played 49 five-set matches at the majors – more than any other player. He recorded his first five-set win since 2023 Roland-Garros. According to the ATP, the epic victory marked Wawrinka’s 58th five-set match (31–27) overal, the most of any player in the Open Era.

The Swiss hit 63 winners to 55 for Gea – both players converted four breaks of serve overall.

Twelve years after Wawrinka defeated both Novak Djokovic and No. 1 Rafael Nadal to win the 2014 Australian Open, Stan the Marathon Man delivered tremendous tennis when he needed it most. 

Facing the French qualifier nearly 20 years his junior, Wawrinka’s experience, fitness and sheer fight carried him through.

In a valiant effort, Gea vomited on court at one point, and spent time between points in the match tiebreaker dropping into a low squat apparently combating cramps.

Leading 6-3 in the match tiebreaker, Wawrinka conjured a running rainbow lob that settled cleanly into the corner.

That shot-making magic brought fans to their feet and Gea to his knees.

On match point, Wawrinka slashed his signature shot—the one-handed backhand—down the line then crosscourt coaxing one final error to posted his 45th career AO match win and match Pete Sampras for ninth place on the Open Era AO win list.

Wild card Wawrinka won’t have too much time to savor this wild night’s win.

The three-time Grand Slam champion will face 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz for a fourth-round spot.

The ninth-seeded Fritz, who has been battling knee tendinitis, rolled by Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Fritz put on a serving clinic serving 77 percent and pumping 15 aces against 1 double fault in a one-hour, 58-minute victory.

The winner of the Fritz-Wawrinka match will face either fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti or Tomas Machac in the round of 16.