"Fittingly, it was the longest match at the 2026 Australian Open, Wawrinka's last at Melbourne Park. The 2014 champion and a three-time major winner overall, Wawrinka held it together while 21-year-old qualifier Gea struggled with cramps in the fifth set's 10-point tiebreaker, hanging on for a 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) win Thursday. The Swiss veteran announced last month that this year would be his last on the elite tour."
"Asked in an on-court interview how he felt after 4 hours, 33 minutes on court, Wawrinka said, "Exhausted!" "As I told you, it's my last Australian Open, so I'm trying to last as long as possible," he said, telling the crowd, "Not only I had fun, but you gave me so much energy. I'm not young any more, so I need the extra.""
Stan Wawrinka, aged 40 years, 310 days, survived a 4½-hour, five-set match to reach the third round, becoming the first man 40 or older to advance that far at a Grand Slam since 1978. Wawrinka beat 21-year-old qualifier Arthur Gea 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) as Gea battled cramps during the fifth-set 10-point tiebreaker. The match was the longest at the 2026 Australian Open and marked Wawrinka's 49th five-set Grand Slam match. Wawrinka announced this season will be his last on tour and said he felt "Exhausted!" after the win.
Read at ESPN.com
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