The nostalgia rating was high at Roland Garros on Sunday, with three vintage results capturing attention on the opening day of the tournament in Paris.

Stan Wawrinka, 39, unfurled a backhand winner to cement a straight-sets win over Andy Murray, after soon-to-be-38-year-old Richard Gasquet played exactly the same stroke to complete his first-round triumph over Borna Coric.

And as he so often does, 34-year-old Kei Nishikori came through a five-set battle to advance – except that this was his first appearance at a Grand Slam in almost three years.

This victorious trio, all former top 10 players, continue chasing highs on tour despite injuries – and the increasing challenge age presents in rebounding from those injuries – affecting their momentum and position in the game.

Wawrinka, who has not been beyond the third round of a Grand Slam tournament since Australian Open 2020, is currently ranked world No.98. His 6-4 6-4 6-2 win over Murray marked his first straight-sets win at a major since also beating Murray in the first round in Paris in 2020.

His bruising 2017 Roland Garros semifinal triumph – again, over Murray – is widely believed to have contributed to the knee problems which shortly after that derailed his season and required surgery.

Wawrinka described it as his best match of the year.

“I’ve been pushing myself the last few years after all the injury to come back to high level. I keep pushing myself,” said Wawrinka, who first played Murray 19 years ago in a Davis Cup rubber.

“I didn’t win many matches this year. I was failing a little bit mentally to finish those match(es). But the level (has) always been there. I always been pushing every day, physically and tennis-wise to get to a good level.

“(Tonight) I think I was feeling good. I was moving well. I was playing aggressive. I liked the conditions, and I’m super happy with the performance and the level. It’s really positive for me.”

Wawrinka is positioned in the draw to potentially face second seed Jannik Sinner in round three.

Gasquet could meet the Italian star in round two, after overcoming Coric 7-6(5) 7-6(2) 6-4 in front of an electric crowd at Court Suzanne Lenglen.

“I don’t know if I can live this again because the level is not easy for me. The players play well. They’re younger than I am. I manage to do this, and I’m satisfied I could today, and I like it.”

Richard Gasquet

The Frenchman had won just three of his past nine matches at Roland Garros and is currently ranked 124th, competing regularly this season on the ATP Challenger circuit and in qualifying at tour-level events.

But Gasquet’s excellent ratio of 47 winners to 28 unforced errors recalled memories of the player who rose as high as world No.7, a peak coming more than 16 years ago.

“I don’t know if it’s the best moment in my career, but it’s a moment. You know, I’m 38. Almost 38. It’s a nice win, a very nice win,” said Gasquet, a Roland Garros quarterfinalist in 2016.

“(Nowadays) I can’t dominate any player. I know that all matches to come will be tough. I practise. It’s tough, but I have this passion to play, so I know I’m serious. I want to play these types of matches.

“It was a tough win. I’m not that young, so that’s what I want to live. I don’t know if I can live this again because the level is not easy for me. The players play well. They’re younger than I am. I manage to do this, and I’m satisfied I could today, and I like it.”

The age-gap of 12 years between Nishikori and Canadian qualifier Gabriel Diallo was even larger than that between Gasquet and Coric.

But it was the 34-year-old Japanese star who prevailed; he built a two-sets-to-love lead, veered off course, but recovered to win in five.

Nishikori now owns an incredible 26-5 record in fifth sets at majors, winning 13 of his past 14 Grand Slam matches that have required five sets.

Hip, ankle and knee injuries have almost entirely wiped out Nishikori’s past three seasons, and he entered this year’s Roland Garros on a protected ranking – his first Grand Slam appearance since the 2021 US Open.

His 7-5 7-6(3) 3-6 1-6 7-5 win over Diallo was just the second time Nishikori played a match in 2024, and marked his first win of the season.

The former world No.4 next faces either 15th seed Ben Shelton of Frenchman Hugo Gaston.

It remains to be seen whether Sunday’s victories hint at the start of a run for this veteran trio, or simply a momentary high.

But whatever happens from here at Roland Garros, the performances of Wawrinka, Gasquet and Nishikori were a reminder of their spectacular talents, as well as a blessing for tennis fans who enjoy the opportunity to witness these enduring stars compete.