Melbourne witnessed a spectacular display of tennis prowess and veteran resilience on Thursday at the Australian Open, where two distinct narratives unfolded on the courts.
Reigning champion Jannik Sinner demonstrated why he holds the world number two ranking with a commanding performance against Australian wildcard James Duckworth. The Italian maestro needed merely one hour and forty minutes to secure a decisive 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena. Sinner’s precision and power were on full display as he extended his remarkable winning streak against Australian opponents to 27 consecutive matches. His last defeat to an Australian came against Duckworth himself in Toronto back in 2021, but there was no hint of a repeat upset. Sinner’s clinical performance featured impeccable shot placement and relentless pressure, culminating in a match-ending ace that propels him into a third-round encounter with American Eliot Spizzirri.
Meanwhile, on Kia Arena, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka authored one of the most memorable chapters of his storied career. The Swiss veteran, who previously announced this would be his final Australian Open before retiring in 2026, battled Frenchman Arthur Gea in an epic five-set thriller that stretched to four hours and thirty-three minutes. Wawrinka ultimately prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(10-3) in a match that tested both physical endurance and mental fortitude.
The three-time Grand Slam champion, who captured his first major title in Melbourne back in 2014, became the first player aged 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall accomplished the feat at the 1978 Australian Open. Wawrinka’s victory was particularly impressive considering he received a late wild card entry and faced an opponent nineteen years his junior. Despite visible exhaustion, the veteran tapped into the energy of a supportive crowd to overcome cramps and mounting pressure, particularly during the decisive tiebreak where he demonstrated the champion mentality that has defined his career.