41-year-old Stan Wawrinka battles past 20-year-old Martin Landaluce in dramatic Lyon opener

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 17:24

Stan Wawrinka continues to make the most of his final season as a professional tennis player. The 41-year-old Swiss battled past Martin Landaluce, 21 years his junior, in the first round of the Lyon Open, surviving a three-set thriller that lasted two hours and 46 minutes.

Wawrinka prevailed in a deciding-set tie-break to secure his 590th career win, ending a wait that had stretched back to May. With his retirement approaching, the three-time Grand Slam champion is determined to keep competing for as long as possible, and this latest victory gives him another opportunity to extend his farewell tour.

The former world No. 3 has spent much of 2026 saying goodbye to tournaments that have played important roles in his career. However, his performances have shown that he remains capable of challenging younger opponents, particularly when matches become physical and the pressure increases.

His win over Landaluce was another example. The Spaniard, 21 years younger than Wawrinka, pushed the veteran to the limit, but the Swiss kept his composure through the decisive moments to secure his place in the second round.

Wawrinka holds his nerve in deciding-set tie-break

Wawrinka made an immediate impression, earning an early break in just the second game and quickly establishing a 3-0 advantage. He maintained control throughout the opening set, limiting Landaluce's opportunities on return and closing it out 6-3 without facing a break point.

The second set proved more complicated. Wawrinka continued to apply pressure to the Spaniard's serve, creating several break-point opportunities, but Landaluce repeatedly found a way to escape trouble. Neither player managed to establish a decisive advantage on serve, and the set eventually went to a tie-break, where the younger player prevailed to force a decider.

Stan Wawrinka during practice at US Open 2026.

The final set brought another test of Wawrinka's experience. He faced three consecutive break points at 0-40 in the opening game, leaving Landaluce with an early opportunity to take control of the match. Wawrinka responded under pressure, however, holding serve and preventing the Spaniard from building momentum.

Neither player managed to break in the deciding set, sending the match into another tie-break. Wawrinka eventually came through on his fifth match point, completing a hard-fought victory and adding another milestone to his final year on tour.

Wawrinka rolls back the years 🤩 He defeats Landaluce 6-3 6-7 7-6 and advances in Lyon! #GrandPrixAuvergneRhoneAlpes https://t.co/LXK0kdKyO4
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 21, 2026

Cobolli awaits Wawrinka in the second round

Wawrinka's reward is a second-round meeting with top seed Flavio Cobolli. The Italian presents a significantly different challenge, and the match could offer the Swiss a chance to test himself against a top-10 opponent, depending on the current rankings.

Wawrinka's most recent victory over a top-10 player came at the 2024 Stockholm Open, where he defeated Andrey Rublev, who was ranked seventh in the world at the time. A repeat against Cobolli would be another notable achievement in a season defined by the Swiss player's determination to keep competing against younger opposition.

Wawrinka is currently around No. 148 in the live ATP rankings. His position is far removed from the heights of his career, when he reached world No. 3 and won three major titles: the Australian Open in 2014, Roland Garros in 2015 and the US Open in 2016.

The Swiss announced in December 2025 that 2026 would be his final season as a professional. His competitive farewell is scheduled for the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where he will play in front of his home fans before bringing his tour career to a close.

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His retirement celebrations will continue in Geneva on December 19, when he is set to take part in One Last Backhand, an exhibition featuring Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Gaël Monfils. The event will give fans another opportunity to celebrate a career that included three Grand Slam titles, an Olympic doubles gold medal and 16 ATP Tour singles titles.

For now, Wawrinka still has matches to play. His victory over Landaluce has earned him another day on court, and he will look to make the most of it against Cobolli before his final competitive appearance in Basel.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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