As Grand Slam season begins afresh in 2015, we look at those players who we feel will excel at this year’s Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Melbourne. Last year, several younger players began to challenge the dominance of the ‘big four’ and many commentators are predicting that the fearsome four of Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic will no longer have a stranglehold over the Grand Slam competitions. Here are five players to watch at the Australian Open.
GRIGOR DIMITROV
One of many new kids on the block, Dimitrov is being hailed as Bulgaria’s answer to Novak Djokovic. Although the 23-year-old’s biggest career achievement to date is reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2014, it will be no surprise if he starts winning, and getting to the finals of Grand Slams.
MILOS RAONIC
The Montenegrin-born, Canadian-raised player is known for his powerful serve – though he is a strong all-rounder. Like Dimitrov he came to prominence at last year’s Wimbledon, where he too reached the semis, losing to Roger Federer in straight sets. Having just turned 24, the world will be expecting great things from the young Canadian.
STANISLAS WAWRINKA
The winner of last year’s Australian Open, it’s natural that Wawrinka will be one of the players tipped to get to the latter stages of the competition. The Swiss number 2 has always been in Federer’s shadow but, at the age of 29, he is finally showing that he is a great talent in his own right.
ROGER FEDERER
The maestro is beloved by all true tennis fans and, as this may well be his final year of professional tennis, many will be hoping that he can notch up an eighteenth Grand Slam win. The Australian probably presents the best chance for him – if Novak Djokovic isn’t on his A game.
NICK KYRGIOS
Young Australian tennis players often start with promise before fading away pretty quickly. Lleyton Hewitt won two grand slam titles as a very young man before falling into obscurity and the less said about the much hyped, but mediocre, Bernard Tomic the better. Will the 19-year-old Nick Kyrgios finally give Australian tennis fans something to cheer about…? We’ll have to wait and see.
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