Stan Wawrinka delivered one of the most memorable performances of the Australian Open so far, outlasting Arthur Gea in a dramatic five-set battle that lasted four hours and 30 minutes.
Approaching his 41st birthday in March, the Swiss veteran once again showcased not only his motivation and competitive spirit, but also remarkable physical resilience, closing the match with a commanding 10–3 victory in the deciding fifth-set super tie-break.
A generational clash unfolds
The matchup brought together two players separated by exactly 20 years. Gea, a rising French prospect ranked outside the Top 190, entered the contest with confidence after a stunning straight-sets win over world No. 17 Jiří Lehečka in the previous round.
That breakthrough performance provided momentum, but against Wawrinka, sustaining both intensity and concentration over extended periods proved a different challenge altogether.
Fine margins decide the early sets
The first three sets were defined by minimal differences. Each set was settled by a single break of serve, with Gea taking the opening set, Wawrinka responding in the second, and the Frenchman edging ahead again in the third.
Both players held serve under pressure, keeping rallies measured and tactical, as the match gradually built toward a physical and mental test.
Wawrinka shifts momentum
In the fourth set, Wawrinka raised his level decisively. The Swiss broke Gea twice, imposing greater weight of shot and dictating exchanges with his trademark one-handed backhand.
That surge forced a fifth set and shifted the psychological balance firmly in Wawrinka’s favor.
A dramatic finish worthy of the stage
Wawrinka struck first in the deciding set, breaking serve early before Gea responded immediately to level the score. From that point, both players protected their service games, pushing the match into a super tie-break.
There, experience told. Wawrinka dominated the final moments, racing to a 10–3 victory and sealing a hard-earned passage into the next round.
A reminder of enduring quality
Beyond the result, the match served as a reminder of Wawrinka’s enduring class. His ability to produce winners with apparent ease, particularly off the one-handed backhand, drew sustained appreciation from the crowd.
For Gea, the loss marked the end of an impressive run, while for Wawrinka, it was another testament to longevity, resilience and the value of experience on the Grand Slam stage.
By Carine06 from UK – Stan Wawrinka, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137151309
By si.robi – Gea RGQ23, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132685153
This marathon encounter unfolded during a demanding Australian Open Day 5, highlighting the physical and mental challenges of the early rounds in Melbourne