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When you think "Swiss men's tennis" one name comes to mind – Roger Federer. But spare a thought for Stanislas Wawrinka, Federer's countryman and the world No.17.
Four years younger than Federer, Wawrinka has been in his compatriot’s shadow from the time he turned pro in 2002 – the year Federer broke into the world's top 10 and started to give an indication of the player he would soon become.
Despite this, Wawrinka has forged his own path, becoming a top 20 regular (career high of No.9 in 2008), winner of three titles and a constant in the Swiss Davis Cup team, one thing that Federer cannot boast.
In his 12th year on the tour, Wawrinka has started strongly. A quarterfinal in Chennai to kick off the New Year has been followed by three straight-sets wins at the first Grand Slam of 2013.
The most impressive of the three was a 7-6(6) 7-5 6-4 victory over 20th seed Sam Querrey on Friday.
"I was always try to make some things with the ball, try to stay aggressive, try to make him play every ball, every shot, and try to push him to make the mistake," said Wawrinka after the match.
"You know, when you won a close set like 7‑6 7‑5 then 6‑4, only smallest point make the difference. And today I took the important point."
And he'll need to do the same if he's to win his fourth-round match against top seed Novak Djokovic on Sunday night.
Both have a lot to play for. Djokovic is looking to become the first man in the Open era to win three Australian Open titles in a row, while Wawrinka is hoping to make it to the quarterfinals here for the first time since 2011.
That year he upset 12th seed Gael Monfils and eighth seed Andy Roddick before Federer ended his run in three clinical sets.
In 13 on-court meetings, Wawrinka has only won twice – two of their first three matches. Since then, it's been all Djokovic.
The two have played a lot of tight matches, but at the key moments it's been Djokovic who has taken the ascendancy. For Wawrinka to get one back on Djokovic he will have to reverse that pattern and, like he did against Querrey, he will have to take those important points.