Few lucky losers have been luckier than Stephane Robert in Melbourne this year.  The journeyman from France fell in the final round of qualifying but received direct entry into the Australian Open main draw when a higher-ranked player withdrew.  Making the most of his opportunity, Robert breezed through three main-draw victories to reach the second week.  He even won a set from a rusty Andy Murray before heading home with a six-digit check and a top-100 ranking. 

That rise in ranking to world No. 81 will allow Robert to receive direct entry in more ATP main draws during the months ahead.  Coming in the twilight of his career at age 33, the windfall gave him one last opportunity to record some meaningful memories before he leaves tennis behind.  Robert has turned heads only once before in his long years of anonymity, far from the spotlight of the sport.  He upset top-10 opponent Tomas Berdych in a five-set thriller at Roland Garros three years ago.

An early blow to Robert's hopes came in his first tournament after the Australian Open.  The Frenchman started his week at a clay event in Vina del Mar, Chile by facing Aljaz Bedene, an opponent whom he he had defeated in straight sets to ignite his remarkable run in Melbourne.  Echoing that victory, Robert won the first set comfortably.  But then he lost the plot and his serve often over the next two sets as the match escaped him. Bedene, a talented Slovenian, served 13 aces and faced just one break point over the last two sets.  Still, Robert must have felt deflated to return to reality so soon after his fairytale fortnight at the Australian Open. 

History is replete with examples of journeymen who melted away to their former status after producing apparent breakthroughs at majors.  For another example, look no further than Lukasz Kubot, a surprise quarterfinalist at Wimbledon last year.  The doubles specialist from Poland had lost in the first round and in the final qualifying round of the two previous grass tournaments that he had played in 2013.  Since Wimbledon, Kubot has won just three main-draw matches in 13 ATP tournaments, although he partnered Robert Lindstedt to the Australian Open doubles crown last month.

A parallel fate might await Robert.  More likely than not, it does await him.  But one senses that this 33-year-old Frenchman will spare no effort in trying to rewrite the familiar script.