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Top Five Men’s Singles Favorites for 2019 Australian Open

By Harry Floyd

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates a point in the mixed doubles match against Belinda Bencic and Roger Federer of Switzerland during day eight of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 05, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates a point in the mixed doubles match against Belinda Bencic and Roger Federer of Switzerland during day eight of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 05, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images) /
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Australian Open
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Kei Nishikori of Japan plays a backhand in his semi final match against Jeremy Chardy of France during day seven of the 2019 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 05, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) /

Coming in at number four in the top five favorites for the Australian Open is Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori. He is surging as of late.

Kei Nishikori is red hot right now and is a strong contender to take the men’s singles title at the Australian Open. As of writing, he is entering the finals at the Brisbane International where he is fresh off of a win over former ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov and then French veteran Jeremy Chardy. After bouncing back from ongoing injuries last year, Nishikori has crept up in the men’s singles rankings yet again on the ATP Tour.

Kei Nishikori is one of the best and most experienced men’s tennis players without a Grand Slam singles title.

Similar to the younger Alexander Zverev, Nishikori is among the best men’s tennis players without a Grand Slam singles title to his name. Previously, the Japanese great has reached the quarterfinals three times at Melbourne Park.

He is a former finalist at the US Open and has reached at least the quarterfinals at the remaining three Grand Slams. The Australian Open comes at a time when Nishikori has tons of momentum. He will need to contend with veteran legends who have the championship experience there, but if anyone can do it, it is Nishikori. A few honorable mentions who did not make the list but have similar experience to the Japanese tennis star include American John Isner and South African Kevin Anderson. These are players with impressive careers whose hard work just might pay off this year at the Australian Open.

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