The chance of a Wawrinka-Kyrgios fourth-round showdown was consigned to the dustbin days ago but the former Australian Open winner, affectionately known as the Stanimal, remains alive and well to push for another grand slam title in Melbourne.
Stan Wawrinka, seeded fourth this time, progressed safely to the round of 16 after recovering from a slow start on Friday to defeat Serbian Viktor Troicki 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (9-7).
Wawrinka next plays Italian Andreas Seppi on Sunday after Nick Kyrgios' conqueror marched on with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-2) win over Belgian Steve Darcis.
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World No.1 Andy Murray features prominently in the top half of the men's draw but Wawrinka looms large to push for a semi-final showdown against the Scot.
Beyond Seppi, the Swiss may have to overcome one-time Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals after the French 12th seed needed four sets to eliminate American Jack Sock.
Wawrinka battled against Troicki for more than two and a half hours on Rod Laver Arena and needed to get his nose ahead in the fourth-set tie-break to close it out.
"Yeah, was close," Wawrinka said. "Tough tie-break for sure. Served twice for the match. Doesn't happen often. But it's not a big deal. You know, at the end I won in four sets. I'm still here. I know I'm playing well, playing better and better."
Wawrinka, who surprised many with his breakthrough slam in Melbourne three years ago, dropped the opening set against the Serbian. He was not bothered by the extra time on court, however.
"Yeah, it was not always the best tennis, but I'm happy to win the match. That's all that counts. In general, it was a good momentum. Second, third and fourth set, I was playing better," Wawrinka said.
"But tough conditions, quite windy, not easy to really play well, have a good rhythm. I'm really happy just to get through."
Former finalist Tsonga is another threat in the top half after his defeat of Sock.
Tsonga, who lost the 2008 title match to Novak Djokovic, beat Sock 7-6 (7-4), 7-5, 6-7 (8-10), 6-3 to reach the fourth round in Melbourne for the eighth time.
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