Former champion Stan Wawrinka was taken to four sets before winning his first match since knee surgery in July at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
The three-time grand slam winner downed Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2) on Hisense Arena.
It was a confidence booster for the 2014 Melbourne Park champion who had a troubled lead-in to the year’s opening grand slam, pulling out of an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Wawrinka signs autographs after winning against Berankis. Photo: Reuters
The Swiss star, who defeated Rafael Nadal to win in 2014, has slipped to nine in the world rankings, having not played since his first-round Wimbledon loss to Russian Daniil Medvedev six months ago.
“It was a tough battle and I’m really happy to win my first match here after six months out,” Wawrinka said.
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