MELBOURNE, Australia – [15] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) said Monday’s fourth round win over [4] Daniil Medvedev was the best match he has played since undergoing knee surgery in August of 2017.
Wawrinka, who lost to Medvedev in the quarterfinals of last year’s US Open, was seeking his first win over the Russian in their third career meeting.
He got off to a quick start, winning the first set 6-2, but Medvedev, who was the favorite behind the ‘Big 3’ to win his first major, rallied back to win the next two. The crucial fourth set featured just one break point and would be decided in a tiebreaker.
Wawrinka ran away with the set tiebreaker - winning the last three points after a building a 4-2 lead – and was able to force a final set. The 2014 champion counted on his experience in the fifth set – where he has now won 29 times compared to zero from his opponent – to advance with a 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory.
“That was an amazing match and an amazing atmosphere,” said Wawrinka after the match. “The level was super high and the atmosphere is always something special here in Australia.”
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[15] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) – VCORE PRO 97 | Melbourne Collection def. [4] Daniil Medvedev, 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2