As the 2018 Australian Open fast approaches, talk has already begun surrounding potential champions of the men’s singles version of the tournament Down Under.
Will Roger Federer defend his title that he remarkably won last January? Can Rafael Nadal finally claim the only Grand Slam he’s lifted just once? Or will Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray be able to return to form and fitness ahead of the event? Those are all questions on many people’s lips but what of the best of the rest?
Read on to find out a selection of underdogs for the 2018 Australian Open men’s singles draw…
Alexander Zverev
German youngster Zverev has really come of age in the last year or so, winning two Masters tournaments in 2017 – defeating Djokovic in the Italian Open final and Federer in the Rogers Cup.
But he’s arguably underachieved in Grand Slams to date, with his best run coming at 2017 Wimbledon when reaching the fourth round.
He is, of course, still only 20 years of age but is already priced as the 15.00 joint fifth-favorite in the outright 2018 Australian Open sports betting to go all the way.
Grigor Dimitrov
Dimitrov has had somewhat of a resurgence recently and capped off a fine 2017 by winning the ATP Tour Finals and finishing as ATP world number three – behind only greats of the game Nadal and Federer.
It started with a semi-finals appearance at the 2017 Australian Open at the beginning of the season, and Dimitrov followed it up with seven more titles (his most in a year yet) – including the Cincinnati Open Masters event and of course the ATP Finals.
Granted, he won that latter competition at London’s O2 Arena without having to face any of the so-called ‘big four’, as Djokovic and Murray didn’t take part, Nadal pulled out after one match, and Federer lost in the semis, but his confidence is high right now and he’s a genuine threat to win his maiden Grand Slam trophy.
Nick Kyrgios
Is tennis bad boy Kyrgios in with a shout of being the first Australian male singles player to win at his home Grand Slam since Mark Edmondson in 1976?
It’s certainly not out of the question because, as many know, he’s capable of beating anyone on his day – when he feels like it, of course!
Kyrgios is a former quarter-finalist here at the Melbourne major in 2015, though admittedly didn’t have the best of years in 2017.
Three finals, losing them all, was still a decent enough achievement, however.
Juan Martin Del Potro
Although Del Potro finished outside of the top 10 at the end of 2017 and narrowly failed to qualify for the ATP Finals, he is the only one on this list to have won a Grand Slam before – the 2009 US Open.
Injuries have undoubtedly hampered his career, but a strong finish to the year (three finals in October) puts him in good confidence ahead of the 2018 Australian Open.
The 29-year-old is a two-time quarter-finalist here.
ANY UNDERDOG IN HIS WAY? |
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