STANISLAS WAWRINKA, the poor fellow who seems condemned to be known as the other Swiss, was beaten in a topsy-turvy five sets by the dangerous Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Although Gonzalez had won all four of their previous encounters for the loss of only one set, Wawrinka’s third-round defeat was a surprise, especially when he was leading by two sets and a break of service, with Gonzalez too erratic. After all, Wawrinka has done a great job of applying himself, especially in physical fitness, breaking through to the world’s top 10 two weeks ago. He was No 9 seed here, while Gonzalez is No 24.

But Gonzalez is a difficult opponent, blowing hot and cold, going for winners with flat-out forehands aimed at the lines. He can make plenty of errors, but he has periods when he hardly misses. He has beaten Roger Federer by managing to sustain accuracy as well as unrestrained power, and yesterday he found such a strain of form just when he needed it. From that break down in the third set, he was just about irresistible.

Wawrinka, who is steady and always fully committed, was at a loss. He fought hard and produced several flowing and winning backhands that were reminiscent of Federer himself, but once the tide turned against him, he never looked likely to turn it back. He did call on the trainer and a doctor early in the fourth set, getting a massage and a couple of tablets, and he did not move with perfect freedom in the later stages of the match, but Gonzalez was really too much for him.

More will be heard from Wawrinka, however, especially in team competition. With two men in the top 10, Switzerland has the makings of a winning Davis Cup team, so long as Federer commits himself to regular appearances.

Meanwhile, an equally exciting five-setter saw Lleyton Hewitt defeated by David Ferrer, the fifth seed, 6-2 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-4.