Stan Wawrinka is into the third round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2020.

The 40-year-old Swiss edged out French qualifier Arthur Gea 4–6, 6–3, 3–6, 7–5, 7–6(3) in a four-hour, 33-minute match, becoming the oldest man to reach the third round in Melbourne since Ken Rosewall, who did so at age 44 in 1978.

Wawrinka, the former world No. 3, who won the first of his three Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open in 2014, is set to retire at the end of the 2026 season.

His one-handed backhand was, as ever, a thing of beauty.

Wawrinka finished with 63 winners and 11 aces, committing 69 unforced errors in a match defined by aggressive shot-making from both players.

When asked how he felt after the match, Wawrinka said: “Exhausted.”

Credit: AP

“As I told you, it’s my last Australian Open, so I’m trying to last as long as possible,” he said.

“I’m not young anymore, so I need your energy,” he said to the crowd. “It’s an amazing feeling to be on this court and have so much amazing support.”

Next up for Wawrinka is world No. 9 American Taylor Fritz. The Swiss leads their head-to-head 2–1.

One thing is certain: Wawrinka will again bring one of tennis’s most beautiful one-handed backhands onto the Melbourne stage.