Reilly Opelka, Lulu Sun, Karolina Muchova and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.Credit: Graphic: Monique Westermann
Between tournaments in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart, there have already been some impressive performances on Australian courts in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
The big names are sure to be thereabouts when the first grand slam of the year gets down to the business end, but who are the dark horses primed to go deep into the tournament?
Here are five lesser-known players who have impressed in the lead-up that we’re tipping to spring a few shocks this year.
Reilly Opelka
The big-hitting American has returned from injury and will use a protected ranking to appear in the Australian Open main draw.Credit: Getty Images
The 211cm-tall Americans chooled 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals in Brisbane.
Opelka has returned to the court after several injury setbacks, and his powerful serve proved too much for the Serbian star.
On the back of the round-of-16 appearance at the 2021 US Open and reaching the third round of the 2022 Australian Open, Opelka was ranked as high as world No. 17.
He is using a protected ranking to enter the 2025 Australian Open main draw.
Karolina Muchova
After injury sidelined her for the first half of 2024, Karolina Muchova returns to the Australian Open in 2025.Credit: Getty Images
Another talented player who has had more than her fair share of injury woes, but the Czech was finally able to string together a good run at the end of 2024.
She reached the semi-finals at the US Open, where she lost to American Jessica Pegula, and she begins her 2025 campaign ranked world No. 21.
Muchova has been as high as No.8 after qualifying for her maiden grand slam final at the 2023 French Open, where she lost to defending champion Iga Swiatek in three sets.
The 28-year-old started her season at the United Cup representing Czechia, where she notched a clinical, straight-sets victory over world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini to help her team qualify for the semi-finals. Despite a poor performance against US star Coco Gauff in the semis, she looms as a big threat at the Australian Open.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has the biggest serve on tour right now.Credit: AP
If you haven’t heard of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, he’s the 21-year-old Frenchman whose serves have been clocked at speeds upwards of 220km/h.
He most recently lost to Opelka at the semi-finals in Brisbane, but not before wins over Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe and Jakub Mensik.
Mpetshi Perricard was the ATP Tour’s most improved player in 2024, climbing more than 170 spots to No.31 in the world, and appears to be on the fast track to the top 10.
He’ll be seeded at the Australian Open for the first time, and is sure to cause headaches with his booming service game.
Mirra Andreeva
The Russian teenager is one of the most impressive talents on tour.Credit: Getty Images
At just 17, the Russian is one of the youngest players on tour – but also one of the most talented.
Ranked No.15 in the world, Andreeva recently reached the semi-finals in Brisbane, where she lost to eventual winner and two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka. Andreeva has previously gone as far as the fourth round in Melbourne.
Sabalenka was full of praise for her beaten opponent after their match, saying Andreeva is “an amazing player”.
“She’s going to be top 10 for so long and very soon, so I’m just happy to get this win,” Sabalenka said.
“She’s on the right path and definitely the future of tennis … She’s moving well, serving great and hitting decent shots, so she’s going to be there [the top 10] very soon.”
Lulu Sun
New Zealand’s Lulu Sun after her fourth round victory at Wimbledon in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
The New Zealander had a breakout year in 2024, which included cracking the top 100 for the first time in her career.
After starting the year ranked world No. 214, Sun ended the season as No. 40 after upsetting Qinwen Zheng and Emma Raducanu on her way to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
Sun’s season is off to a slow start, with first-round losses at the ASB Classic in Auckland and the Hobart International, but the 23-year-old can disrupt a draw when she gets on a run.
Last year, Sun had to battle her way through qualifying to play in the Australian Open main draw, where she lost in the first round, but this year she has more experience and gets a main draw entry.
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