Wawrinka into last 16 after hard-fought win over Lorenzi

Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates after match point against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy (not pictured) in the third round on day five of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former champion Stan Wawrinka fought off a spirited challenge from Italian Paolo Lorenzi to secure a 6-4 7-6(9) 7-6(4) victory on Friday and advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open.

Wawrinka did well to save 11 of the 13 break points he faced during the nearly three-hour encounter as he booked his spot in the U.S. Open round of 16 for the first time since he won the tournament in 2016.

Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a ball into the stands after match point against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy (not pictured) in the third round on day five of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In the final set Wawrinka broke Lorenzo and had a chance to serve for the match but the Italian responded with a break of his own and then held for a 6-5 lead only for the Swiss to hold to love in the next game before taking over in the tiebreak.

Up next for Wawrinka will be the winner of the evening match between defending champion and top seed Novak Djokovic or American Denis Kudla.

Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland (R) shakes hands with Paolo Lorenzi of Italy (L) after their match in the third round on day five of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland hands his broken racquet to a fan against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy (not pictured) in the third round on day five of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a forehand against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy (not pictured) in the third round on day five of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports