These are the big "sleepers" heading into the 2025 Australian Open

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 8 Jan 2025 | 19.27

Possible big surprises at the 2025 Australian Open. Photo: gettyimages

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Before each Grand Slam, it is inevitable to build castles in the air and imagine scenarios of great surprises. Looking ahead to this 2025 Australian Open, there are plenty of reasons to believe that some players might defy all expectations. We distinguish between mid-low range seeded players who could reach very advanced rounds and non-seeded players who could cause havoc in the early rounds.

Two weeks of intense emotions and tennis spectacle. That's what a 2025 Australian Open guarantees and could also bring loads of surprises. There is a wide range of tennis players expected to challenge the dominance of the best. While there are four top favorites for the title and a second line of candidates of high caliber, looking back at the rankings reveals players with all the necessary ingredients to create total chaos in the tournament.

- Which seeded players could reach the final rounds unexpectedly?

Among the 32 men in the seeded condition, who cannot face each other before the third round, some names stand out in the second half of that list. Their potential surpasses their ranking, particularly in this tournament. Hubert Hurkacz is a perfect example, a player capable of advancing much further than expected. Having reached Grand Slam semifinals, won Masters 1000 titles, and currently holding the 18th position, he must defeat higher-ranked opponents to make it to the second week.

Other players to watch closely are the Czechs Jiri Lehecka and Tomas Machac. While the latter enters the tournament with some physical doubts due to his United Cup issues, both have the level and flair necessary to surprise and progress into advanced rounds. Another noteworthy name is Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whose serves could strike fear in some of the top eight players in the world as early as the third round.

- Which opponents are the most formidable for the favorites in the first two rounds?

A storm of names fills the mind of any fan upon discovering players who are not seeded and therefore could face any of the best players starting from the first round. Matteo Berrettini, Nicolas Jarry, Alexander Bublik, Alex Michelsen, Zhizhen Zhang, Juncheng Shang, Kei Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, or Thanasi Kokkinakis are just a few of those who come to mind as capable of surprising anyone.

However, two names must be highlighted for their dangerous potential. One of them is Jakub Mensik. This 19-year-old Czech player is clearly on the rise and appears ready to make a significant improvement in the rankings. He has already shown that he has the required level to achieve great success and thrives in crucial situations. The tournament conditions greatly favor his style of play, making him a formidable opponent.

Another is a player whom many have already written off, which seems too bold considering both his talent and age. Denis Shapovalov is only 25 years old and adding Tipsarevic to his coaching staff doubles his hopes of finding the desired tactical order and mental consistency to complement his limitless technical skills. Meeting him in the first round could be a deadly trap.

We must also make room for two Spanish players whose current ranking does not reflect their threat level. One is Pablo Carreño, who is striving to reestablish himself as a contender after a serious elbow injury. His performances in the United Cup and Auckland have been very positive, making him a tough nut to crack for any player. We should also not dismiss a potential resurgence from Alejandro Davidovich, who aims to return to being a player capable of reaching Grand Slam quarterfinals and Masters 1000 finals, after a tough year for his aspirations. In conclusion, many bombs ready to explode in this 2025 Australian Open.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Estos son los grandes "tapados" de cara al Open de Australia 2025