Raonic survives four-hour marathon against Wawrinka

Milos Raonic had to dig deep in a four-set victory over 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka at Melbourne Park.

Canadian star Milos Raonic celebrates

Milos Raonic outlasted Stan Wawrinka in a gruelling four-set shoot-out to book his spot in the third round of the Australian Open.

Raonic survived 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (13-11), 7-6 (7-5) against 2014 champion Wawrinka after more than four hours in Melbourne on Thursday, marking the longest match the Canadian star has won in his career.

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Four tie-breaks were needed as 16th seed Raonic - a quarter-finalist or better in three of the past four years at Melbourne Park - prevailed in humid conditions on Rod Laver Arena.

Raonic fired down 39 aces compared to Swiss Wawrinka's 28, while he topped the winners column 84-66 en route to the next round.

Next up for Raonic is Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.