2019 Australian Open: Top Ten Surprise Predictions

By Toby Oliver | Jan 12, 2019

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Roger Federer (L) of Switzerland poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final against Marin Cilic of Croatia, posing with the runners-up trophy on day 14 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

6 of 11

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 09: John Isner of United States plays a shot against Taylor Fritz of United States in their singles match during the 2019 ASB Classic at the ASB Tennis Centre on January 09, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images) /

6 – John Isner at the 2019 Australian Open

Even though John Isner is 33-years-old, 2018 was the best year of his career. He cracked the top ten, he won his first Masters event and he reached the semi-final at Wimbledon.

Because of his high ranking, he’s seeded ninth at the Australian Open this year. His first round match will be interesting because he faces young American Reilly Opelka who is one of the few players in the world who is taller than Isner. The “battle of the giants” will be a good test for Isner who will surely come through in three tiebreaks.

Waiting for Isner in the fourth round should be old friend and rival Kevin Anderson. They will both be relieved to hear about the Australian Open’s new rules on fifth sets which means they won’t recreate their marathon match from the Wimbledon semi-final last year. If they reached 6-6 in the fifth set, a 10 point tiebreak would decide the match.

Home/Australian Open