Australian Open 2026: Stan Wawrinka wins epic to join Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic in third round

Wawrinka Beats Gea in Epic Battle to Reach Australian Open 3rd Round

Stan Wawrinka has reached the third round of the Australian Open after defeating French qualifier Arthur Gea in a thrilling five-set match. This win marks Wawrinka's second consecutive comeback victory, with the Swiss player having previously overcome Laslo Djere in his opening-round encounter.

The tiebreak proved decisive as Wawrinka claimed a hard-fought 4-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 6-2 victory over Gea, who pushed him all the way to the final set. Despite going down a break in the decider, Wawrinka regained his composure and held firm to secure the win.

Wawrinka's success is a testament to his experience and endurance, with the 38-year-old having been part of several high-profile finals teams throughout his career. This victory also highlights the growing strength of the men's game at the Australian Open, where many veteran players continue to punch above their weight.

In other third-round action, world number two Jannik Sinner defeated James Duckworth in a one-sided affair, while Croatian veterans Marin Cilic and Novak Djokovic both moved into the next round with convincing victories over lower-ranked opponents.

I'm loving Stan Wawrinka's comeback story ! 38 years old and still going strong, that's what I love about this guy . He's got experience, he's got endurance, and he's not afraid to fight for every point. The way he regained his composure when down a break in the final set was mental . And I've gotta say, it's awesome to see veteran players like him and Marin Cilic still pulling off impressive wins at this age . It just goes to show that age is just a number in tennis - if you're not willing to put in the work, anyone can be beat .

Man I'm loving this comeback story from Wawrinka . 38 years young and still bringing the heat! He's proof that age is just a number when it comes to tennis, especially in big tournaments like the Aussie Open. The fact that he can hold his own against younger opponents is a testament to his experience and mental toughness.

I also think it's awesome to see veteran players like Wawrinka and Cilic making waves in the tournament . They're setting an example for the next gen of players, showing them that you don't have to be 25 years old to compete at the highest level.

And can we talk about the tiebreak? That was insane ! The fact that Wawrinka came from behind to win it all is just incredible. It's moments like these that remind us why tennis is one of the most exciting sports out there .

Just watched this match and I'm still on edge lol Wawrinka's comebacks are always thrilling! The way he took that final set from Gea was insane, like he was unstoppable His experience really pays off in these situations, you can tell he's been in tough spots before. Also, crazy to see Gea push him all the way, I mean it wasn't an easy win for Wawrinka . The mens game is getting more exciting by the year, gotta love seeing the veteran players still killing it!

Yaaas Stan Wawrinka is still got it ! This comeback win was insane, I mean 5 sets against a French qualifier Arthur Gea? That's some serious skill right there. The tiebreak was so crucial in the end and Wawrinka's experience really paid off.

I love how the veteran players like Wawrinka, Cilic, and Djokovic are still giving it their all at the Australian Open. It shows that they're not just going through the motions and are actually hungry for wins. The men's game is getting more competitive every year and I'm excited to see who's gonna rise to the top.

Sinner also looked dominant against Duckworth, but you can't discount Gea's effort either - he gave Wawrinka a real scare. Overall, it's shaping up to be an epic tournament and I'm hyped to see how things play out!

I'm not surprised to see Wawrinka pull off that win . He's been around the block a few times, you know? The guy's got grit and knows how to close out matches when it matters most . I mean, don't get me wrong, Gea gave him a run for his money - that was an epic battle ! But at 38, Wawrinka's still got the goods to make deep runs in majors. It'll be interesting to see how he stacks up against the younger guys moving forward . Can't help but feel like he's getting underplayed by some of the pundits though... still a force to be reckoned with

Wawrinka's win is like a puzzle , where all the pieces come together to form a strong foundation . He's got the experience and endurance ️ that's making him hard to beat. I love how he regained his composure in the final set , it was like he had a plan B (or C) up his sleeve . And yeah, Gea put up a great fight , but Wawrinka's skills and strategy ultimately paid off .

By the way, have you noticed how many old-school players are doing well in this tournament? It's like they're defying Father Time . I'm loving it! And Sinner, Cilic, and Djokovic all winning convincingly is a testament to their dominance . Australian Open, you never disappoint me

so Wawrinka's 38 and still giving it his all? that's impressive but also kinda weird... i mean, is he even trying to retire or what? anyway, I guess you could say he's got the experience thing going for him, but don't we need more young guns in the men's game? it feels like a lot of these veteran players are just phoning it in at this point... maybe i'm just being too skeptical

OMG, what an epic battle!!! Stan Wawrinka is absolutely on fire right now! I mean, 38 and still taking down younger guys like Arthur Gea? That's insane! His experience and endurance are truly paying off, and it's so inspiring to see him thrive on the court. Can't wait to see what he does next! And yay for all the other top players who are making a statement at the Australian Open - Sinner, Cilic, and Djokovic are just dominating!

just watched this match and OMG what a battle!!! Stan Wawrinka is like 38 years old but he's still crushing it out there! Gea was pushing him so hard, I was on the edge of my seat . tiebreaks are always so intense, and that final set was crazy! Wawrinka's experience really paid off in the end.

I love how this win shows that even though you're not as young as some of the other players anymore, you can still have an epic comeback. And it's awesome to see these veteran players dominating the younger guys . Sinner and Djokovic are also looking strong, but Wawrinka's victory is definitely a highlight of this tournament so far .

Can you believe Stan Wawrinka is still killing it on the court at 38?! I mean, I know he's had his fair share of ups and downs throughout his career, but this comeback win is insane! The guy's got experience for days, that's for sure. I'm loving the resurgence of veteran players in the men's game - it's making tennis so much more exciting again! And can we talk about Gea? That French qualifier gave Wawrinka a run for his money - impressive effort!

OMG, what an epic battle ! Stan Wawrinka is literally defying Father Time at 38 years old ! I mean, who else can pull off a comeback win like that? It's clear he still has some tricks up his sleeve.

The tiebreak was insane, though - I was on the edge of my seat watching that one ! Arthur Gea gave him a run for his money, but in the end, Wawrinka's experience and endurance paid off.

I'm loving this Australian Open so far - it's awesome to see all these veteran players still holding their own against the younger guns . The men's game is just getting better and better!