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Australian Open Top Ten Men’s Contenders

By Christopher Weis

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Aug 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Stan Wawrinka (SUI) returns a shot against Ivo Karlovic (not pictured) on day six during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Linder Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Stan Wawrinka (SUI) returns a shot against Ivo Karlovic (not pictured) on day six during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Linder Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

I considered putting Wawrinka higher. After all, he has done something that Andy Murray hasn’t been able to do: beat Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.  Wawrinka defeated Djokovic in the quarterfinals in 2014 in a truly epic match.  Then, he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final, where Nadal struggled with some injuries.  Since that time, Wawrinka has gotten one more major title, the 2015 French Open over Novak Djokovic.

But does he have it to win a third title? It’s certainly possible, he has given Djokvoic a tough fight for a few matches in Melbourne. Plus, Wawrinka is coming off a successful tuneup in Chennai, India at the Aircel Chennai Open, winning the title there over Croatian teenager Borna Coric.  In that regard, Wawrinka is off to a good 2016.

The big question: can Wawrinka successfully win another title? I will say that he can.  He’s proven himself to be one of tennis’s best players currently.  So he definitely could, presuming that he gets a favorable draw.  He doesn’t want to have to play too many of Djokovic, Murray and Federer, that’s for sure.

Next: 3. G.O.A.T?

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