Stan Wawrinka's hopes of replicating his 2014 Australian Open win were crushed in the first round after losing to Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday.

Stan Wawrinka suffered a third-straight first round exit from the Australian Open after being beaten over four sets by Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

Wawrinka, who won the 2014 edition of the tournament against Rafael Nadal, was outplayed by his opponent, losing 6-4 5-7 7-5 7-5 in an over three-hour long encounter.

Sonego hit the front early on, winning a love game against Wawrinka's serve to earn a break before closing out the opening set in just 33 minutes.

Wawrinka, who entered the Australian Open as the tournament's oldest player, showed no signs of his age as he rallied back in the second, converting set point at the fourth attempt.

The decisive moment in the 11th game of the third game went in favour of Sonego, who produced an outrageous behind-back winner to earn a break point before edging in front.

But Wawrinka looked set to take the encounter to a decider after racing into a 40-0 lead against the serve in the fourth set, but he was unable to grasp that opportunity.

Sonego somehow managed to save three set points, before serving out the match with a love game to reach the second round at Melbourne Park for the sixth time.

Data Debrief: The Italian Job

Having first faced off at the Croatian Open back in July 2023, Sonego avenged that defeat against veteran Wawrinka with some stunning tennis in Melbourne.

The Italian served 12 aces throughout the contest to his opponent's four, while also winning 69 of his 83 first-serve points. He has now won seven matches at the Australian Open, only winning more at Roland-Garros (nine) across the four grand slam events.

Sonego also claimed his first grand slam match win against a former grand slam winner, after coming into this match with a 0-4 record.