The home demon, Czech hope or experienced Bulgarian! Who are the dark horses of the Australian Open?

The following tennis players were not among the biggest favourites of the Australian Open. However, it can’t be said that they came to Melbourne without a lot of ambition. Their performances are graduating and it is realistic to expect big things from them. Which players have confirmed their position as the dark horses of the first major so far?

The home team is on fire

The Australians have been waiting for their player to triumph at a domestic Grand Slam since 1976. When the dream home title was not won even by Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 a home triumph seemed a task for a very long time. Are better days ahead?

It is Hewitt who is the mentor of the player on whom the opposition is now betting. His name is Alex De Minaur and he is currently the tenth player in the ATP rankings. He goes by the nickname “The Demon” and his performances are making him a dark horse in Melbourne.

Two weeks ago he stirred up the waters of the tennis world with his triumph over Djokovic. And he’s also got off to a flying start at his home Grand Slam.

He lost a set to Canadian veteran Raonic in the tiebreak but dominated the court from then on. That is, until his opponent crashed. He allowed Italy’s Arnaldi only six games in three sets.

In the second match, the Sydney native confirmed his great work on the net and is looking to face another Italian. This time he will face Cobolli. But the heavyweights will follow. American Korda or world number five Rubljov.

Czech hope for the Australian Open

Tomáš Macháč benefited the most from the great entry of Czech tennis players at the Australian Open. He enjoyed the win of a lifetime over American Tiafoe and will try to build on that.

He has a lot to build on, the native of Beroun moves well and handles the transitions to the net perfectly. He is now facing the Russian Khachanov. Should Machac shine against him, he will probably challenge the Italian Sinner.

Whatever the next few days bring, one thing is certain. This year’s edition of the opening major of the season brought the 23-year-old his best ever Grand Slam result.

Grigor Dimitrov

This guy is aging like a luxury Bulgarian wine. At thirty-two, Grigor Dimitrov is enjoying one of the best stretches of his rich career. The former world number three is clawing his way back up.

He conquered Brisbane at the start of the year and now he’s rocking Melbourne. He beat both Hungary’s Fucsovics and the home team’s Kokkinakis in four sets and now he’ll challenge Portugal’s Borges.

In 2017 he played in the semi-finals at the Australian Grand Slam, last year he was stopped by Rune in a well-played Wimbledon. He has already avenged that defeat this year.

Will the winner of nine ATP tournaments go far in the opening major of the season? We wouldn’t bet more money on a negative answer.

Source: ATP, Australian Open