Wawrinka fended off Fritz to begin the second, then broke in a two-game swing often seen in tennis.
He lured Fritz forward with drop shots, drilled one-handed backhands and crushed a forehand down the line at 5-2.
Last year in Melbourne, Fritz lost to another veteran, Gael Monfils, in the same round. Was lightning about to strike twice?
The start of the third mirrored the start of the match. Quick holds were the norm. Fritz tweaked his first-serve return stance at 3-3 and it paid instant dividends, earning a break.
Once Wawrinka took the medical timeout, there seemed no way back.
Yet Wawrinka offered a smile when getting the better of Fritz in the fifth game. Another one came and prompted one of the loudest roars of the evening after a rocketed one-handed backhand in the last game saw Fritz trail 15-30.
But out came two mammoth serves and a huge forehand to fend off the danger.
The pair, who practised together at the United Cup, had a quick chat up at the net. The gracious Fritz then let Wawrinka take it all in.
“I can’t blame anyone in the crowd for cheering for Stan here,” said Fritz.
“It’s amazing what he’s out here doing. I have so much respect for the passion and the drive it takes to be doing what he’s doing.”