Live-Tennis.com takes a look at some of the unseeded players capable of landing some major upsets when the Australian Open gets underway.
1. Grigor Dimitrov
'Baby Federer' is starting to come good. We've been impatiently predicting success for Dimitrov for a while now but in Brisbane last week it all clicked. He made the final and not only that, he gave Andy Murray a serious test. The serve action and the fluent shotmaking is reminiscent of a young Federer but like the Swiss, what makes Dimitrov special is his movement and anticipation. He glides around the court and has fabulous defensive skills, once of the most important qualities in the men's game today.
Can struggle in the heat though as we found in Sydney this week so he'll be hoping temperatures don't get too ridiculous.
2. Madison Keys
If you haven't heard of this girl, she's among a string of up and coming prospects from the States with the potential to go big-time in the next two years. Sloane Stephens has grabbed most of the attention and deservedly so as she's been showing a lot of consistency but at just 17, Keys has a big, big game. She took out Lucie Safarova in Sydney this week and with a bit more composure, she would have disposed of Li Na too.
3. Nikolay Davydenko
Feels strange referring to a former world number 3 as a 'floater' but Davydenko has done little in the past two years to suggest he could get back to anything like his best. Until now. The Russian was sublime in Doha, hitting with pace, consistency and running balls down like a machine. David Ferrer couldn't live with him and neither will most of the draw if he plays like that in Melbourne. Had a genuine shot at winning the tournament in 2010 and capable of going deep into week two.
4. Lauren Davis
Another American teen with a big future. 19 year old Davis stands at just 5'2 but don't be fooled, this girl can pack a punch. Watched her going toe-to-toe with Sloane Stephens in Hobart this week and the level of tennis was far better than the much vaulted clash between Agi Radwanska and Li Na taking place in Sydney. As Dominika Cibulkova's shown, it's possible to reach the world's top 15 and Grand Slam semi-finals even if you aren't the tallest on the tour as Davis has the potential to match the Slovak's successes.
5. Bernard Tomic
Tomic's getting plenty of column inches in the Aussie press right now but the 20 year old loves the attention. He's always produced his best when he's in the spotlight and as long as he doesn't draw a Murray or a Djokovic early on, he's gonna be a threat to anyone. Good to see him grinding out wins on his off days too. He believes he can do some damage and if he goes on to win the Sydney title this week, it'll take some performance to stop him.
