Australian Open 2012: 13 Players Set for a Surprise Run at the Year's First Slam

Every year it seems someone comes relatively out of the woodwork at the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, and catches their fellow players off guard. In 2011, Alexandr Dolgopolov and eventual finalist Li Na were among the pros that snuck in under the radar.

Here is a look at 13 competitors on the ATP and WTA tours that could do some damage in the draw.

Fernando Verdasco

Best Finish: Semifinals (2009)

2011 Result: Lost in Fourth Round

Fernando Verdasco's physical game is built around powerful groundstrokes, which he can hit for winners from both sides. Currently ranked 24th, the former top-tenner has enjoyed success at the Australian in the past, reaching the semifinals in 2009 before falling to Rafael Nadal in a five-set classic.

If he's healthy he can challenge any of the top eight seeds.

Richard Gasquet

Best Result: Fourth Round (2007, 2008)

2011 Result: Lost in the First Round

Arguably one of the most talented players on the ATP World Tour, Richard Gasquet hasn't quite lived up to his potential yet. The Frenchman has had a couple of up-and-down seasons the past few years but has had a deep run at a major in the past. He's a threat on any surface and the courts in Melbourne should play to his strengths.

Andrea Petkovic

Best Result: Quarterfinals (2011)

2011 Result: Lost in the Quarterfinals

German star Andrea Petkovic is on many people's shortlist for future Grand Slam champion and this year's Australian Open is where she could get that accomplished. A solid member of the top 10 now, Petkovic has a game big enough to knock off players ranked higher than her.

Christina McHale

Best Result: First Round (2009, '11)

2011 Result: Lost in the First Round

Christina McHale had a huge breakthrough in 2011, built upon solid results on hard courts which included a win over world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.  She's currently carrying the weight of being hailed as "the future of American tennis." Perhaps playing under the radar some in Australia will help ease some of that pressure and she can pull off some upsets.

Ernests Gulbis

Best Result: Second Round (2009)

2011 Result: Lost in First Round

Ernests Gulbis is unofficially the most unpredictable player out there—on either tour. He's a talented ball-striker and even has a win over Roger Federer on his resume. Still, his results have not matched his ability. He's capable of a run to the quarterfinals—or losing in the first round. His two career tournament wins have come on hard courts, which could lend credence to the fact of him doing well in Australia.

Vasek Pospisil

Best Result: Never Played

Last year it was Milos Raonic who stormed on the scene at the Australian Open representing Canada. Provided he qualifies for the event, Vasek Pospisil is capable of replicating his countryman's feat. Pospisil has a big game best-suited for fast conditions, which could help him at the year's first major.

Maria Kirilenko

Best Result: Quarterfinals (2010)

Result in 2011: Lost in the Second Round

Russian Maria Kirilenko is poised for a big 2012 having finished off last season on a bit of a tear. A tour veteran, the soon-to-be 25-year-old has had some of her best Grand Slam results the past two seasons, including round-of-16 appearances at last year's French and U.S. opens. Her aggressive style can carry her far this year.

Dominika Cibulkova

Best Result: Fourth Round (2009)

Result in 2011: Lost in Third Round

Despite being small in stature, Dominika Cibulkova is one of the biggest hitters in the women's game. In 2011, she won her first career singles title in Moscow, and also made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. She's a former French Open semifinalist and has advanced to the last eight at the U.S. Open as well in her career. She could complete her career quarterfinal Slam run in Australia this year.

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Best Result: Quarterfinals (2007, 2009)

Result in 2011: Lost in the Fourth Round

One of only a handful of active multiple Slam winners on the WTA Tour, Svetlana Kuznetsova knows what it takes to make a deep run at a major tournament. Last year was mostly a down one for Kuznetsova with injuries and inconsistent form. But provided she's healthy and on-task, she's capable of beating anyone.

Ivo Karlovic

Best Result: Fourth Round (2010)

Result in 2011: Lost in First Round

To this day, Ivo Karlovic is probably the one player most top seeds hate to see in their section of the draw early on. His serve makes it a tough day for even the game's best returners. If the courts are playing fast and if his big weapon is clicking, Karlovic is capable of taking out a higher-ranked player or two.

Kevin Anderson

Best Result: First Round (2008, '09, '10, '11)

Result in 2011: Lost in First Round

He's never won a match at the year's first major, plus he's battling a knee injury right now. But if South African Kevin Anderson plays he's capable of an upset. He's been playing some of his best tennis in the past year and has career wins over last year's finalists Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Robin Haase

Best Result: Third Round (2011)

Result in 2011: Lost in Third Round

Young Dutchman Robin Haase's career has been on a rapid ascent: In 2011 he won his first career title on clay and also had Andy Murray on the ropes in the second round of the U.S. Open. At last year's Australian Open he beat Juan Monaco in the second round before falling to Andy Roddick in four tough sets. This time around he's capable of an even deeper run in the tournament.

Casey Dellacqua

Best Result: Fourth Round (2008)

Result in 2011: Did Not Play

"Hometown heroine" Casey Dellacqua is currently on a tear, having finished last year winning six tournaments in a row on the ITF circuit. That run led to her being awarded a wildcard into this year's Aussie, even though she's still ranked outside the top 130. Confidence built from winning so many matches in a row could make her a threat to any player in the draw.