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Cans of beer, Mexican waves, vintage backhands: How Stan Wawrinka kept Australian Open retirement champagne on ice with stunning second-round win

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Stan Wawrinka's Australian Open farewell tour has developed into more of a party as the Swiss cult hero provided yet more Melbourne magic. The 40-year-old, making his final appearance at the Australian Open, added to his esteemed list of achievements Down Under with a sensational five-set win against Arthur Gea, who is nearly half his age, in a spectacular showpiece at Kia Arena.

Arthur Gea - Stan Wawrinka - Australian Open highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

At 40, Stan Wawrinka's ability to captivate the tennis world remains boundless.

When it was announced that he would retire at the end of the 2026 season, this Australian Open would be his last and he was handed a wildcard at the expense of home favourite Nick Kyrgios, you could be forgiven for viewing his appearance as a ceremonial nicety.

It was an occasion to honour the man who charged through the dominance of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to win the 'Happy Slam' in 2014. But the farewell champagne remains on ice.

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Defying all logic, Wawrinka overcame perhaps his toughest-ever challenge at the Australian Open by defeating Arthur Gea - 19 years his junior - in a spectacular four-and-a-half hour battle on Thursday to reach the third round.

The partisan Kia Arena, notably indulging in the irresistible storyline, witnessed a gargantuan effort - the five-set battle rekindling memories of his trilogy of marathons against Djokovic between 2013-15.

But Wawrinka - who turns 41 in March - is not keen to rank this among his prior achievements.

"Never compare the past," Wawrinka said in his post-match press conference. "That's really never a good idea, to do it.

"For me, I'm always trying to stay in the present, living with what's happening in the present.

"Of course, after a tough year like last year, knowing that my last one here, my last Australian Open, my last year, it's really special.

"The emotions are really completely different. It's a feeling that's tough to describe. But it's the reason why at 40 I'm still pushing myself, pushing the limit, practising hard the off-season, it's to live those moments."

Wawrinka delighted the raucous arena with not only vintage, efficient tennis but also elite showmanship - playing into the crowd, revelling in what, at various points in the match, looked to be his last-ever appearance at Melbourne Park.

The beverages were flowing from the very start - Wawrinka comically pretending to drink from a can of beer that had found its way onto his side of the court, before returning it to sender.

Watch amusing moment Wawrinka pretends to drink from fan's can

Video credit: TNT Sports

Little did those in the stands know they would be drinking their way through the longest match of the tournament thus far.

Wawrinka absurdly seemed to grow the longer the clock ticked on. When Gea clinched the decisive break in the opening set after a gruelling 17-point game, it seemed as though Wawrinka's race may have been run.

But an elite competitor like Wawrinka should never be ruled out. Fighting back - holding some tight service games - and striking a crucial break, he levelled the match, wooing with his trademark single-handed backhand, and it quickly became apparent a battle was afoot.

While a strong serving set from Gea had Wawrinka backpedalling, there was little surprise when his battling qualities were put firmly back on display, levelling and crucially avoiding a fourth-set tie-break when he sent a sensational backhand down the line to break for 7-5 and set up a decider.

Watch emotional moment Wawrinka 'rolls back the years' in 'stunning' five-set victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

No matter what happened in the fifth set, Wawrinka was going to enjoy it - perhaps even more than those in the crowd with nails surely bitten to the quick.

Saving break points, and forcing four of his own, the decider somehow remained on serve, with Wawrinka even able to take a brief break to join in with the crowd's Mexican wave.

But the marathon clash would ultimately get the ending it deserved - a match-deciding tie-break, in which Wawrinka put every high-stakes tournament appearance from his 24 years on the professional circuit to good use.

He gained five mini-breaks and sent the arena wild, as a deep down-the-line backhand forced Gea wide.

"Exhausted," Wawrinka said, when asked by Mats Wilander on-court how he felt after such a battle. "As I told you, it’s my last Australian Open, I’m trying to last as long as possible.

'Exhausted' Wawrinka on pretending to drink fan's can as he celebrates epic win

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Not only I had fun, but you [the crowd] gave me so much energy. I’m not young any more, so I need extra energy from you.

"It’s an amazing feeling to be on this court, to have so much noise, so much support. It was a long match."

Wawrinka's sensational show of physical and mental strength was yet another success for the older players at this year's Australian Open.

Djokovic, 38, has continued to defy his age by dominating technically and physically en route to the third round.

Marin Cilic, 37, also sealed his spot by defeating No. 21 seed Denis Shapovalov, while Laura Siegemund, also 37, played out nearly six hours of tennis in her first and second-round matches.

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