Australian Open 2012: Men's Darkhorses We Are Dying to See

As the tour prepares for this year's Australian Open, the reality is that with Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray all at the top of their game and the likes of Ferrer, Berdych, Tsonga and Del Potro chasing them, there isn't much room at the top for dark-horse contenders.

While one or possibly two of the top seeds might fall, the incredible consistency of the game's best, particularly the top four, mean that the rest of the field are really vying for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Here are 10 guys we'd like to see surprise and contend for a chance to play in the final eight. 

10. Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet is thought by many to be one of the most talented players on tour. So far though in his early career, his results have yet to live up to such a high billing.

Nevertheless, Gasquet possess one of the most technically smooth and beautiful one-handed backhands on tour. 

Two fourth-round appearances at the Australian Open prove he is on the cusp of breaking through. Is this the year the talented but mercurial Frenchman finally breaks through to the final eight?

Tennis fans would sure like to see more of his elegant strokes. 

9. John Isner

Now more than a year removed from Wimbledon 2010, Isner is still remembered more for his epic 11-hour, five-set thriller against Nicolas Mahut in the first round of Wimbledon than any Grand Slam results.

While such a historic match will be hard to forget, part of the reason he isn't remembered for anything else is because of his inability to make a serious run in a Grand Slam.

In 2010, Isner posted his best result in Melbourne, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and last fall finally broke through to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open.

Can he follow it up with continued and more lasting success this time around?

Given that his booming serve and intense competitive spirit are always easy to root for, American tennis fans sure hope so.

8. Milos Raonic

Coming off last season's award for ATP Tour Newcomer of the year after he jumped more than 125 points in the rankings, big things are expected for the big Canadian.

Having just won the warm-up tournament in Chennai, India (posting wins over Top 10 players Nicolas Almagro and Janko Tipsarevic), Raonic's momentum from last year seems to have carried over to 2012. 

Will that translate into a surprise deep run at the year's first Grand Slam? Tennis fans certainly hope so as Raonic is one of the future stars of the game.

7. Gael Monfils

Again, it's hard to consider a guy ranked No. 15 in the world as a dark horse, but with such depth and talent in the men's field ahead of him, that's where Gael Monfils finds himself.

One of the most electric players in the game, Monfils has all the tools to be successful. A quintessential shotmaker with a powerful serve to boot, the explosive Frenchman is always a pleasure to watch be it for his game, his flamboyant style or his off-the-court antics. 

6. Marcos Baghdatis

Known as much as an on-court entertainer and for his antics as he is for his actual tennis skills, Baghdatis' game still packs quite the punch as evidenced by his surprising run to the 2006 Australian Open finals.

Plagued by injuries, fitness and inconsistencies since, Baghdatis can still turn it on and light it up. Wherever he goes, Baghdatis is sure to draw a crowd of loyal followers and passive tennis fans alike, excited to see the passionate Cypriot and his powerful ground-strokes.

After a solid end to 2011, Baghdatis enters the year ranked No. 43 in the world. While it is unlikely he will be able to put together a deep run, Baghdatis still has ability to pull of an upset or two.

5. Kei Nishikori

The biggest question about the 22-year-old Japanese phenom is whether or not he is for real.

The guy has absolutely flown up the rankings, shocking the tennis world by defeating Tsonga in Shanghai before his even more improbable victories over Berdych and even Djokovic in Basel.

His fantastic run in Basel finally came to an end against hometown hero Roger Federer, but it would be hard to argue that anybody else finished the year hotter and feeling it more than Kei Nishikori, all of which raise the questions as to whether the 22-year-old prodigy is for real.

In his first Australian Open last season, Nishikori reached the third round. This year, tennis fans are abuzz as to how much further he can advance.

4. Juan Martin Del Potro

Can a former US Open champion who still hasn't reached his full potential really be a dark horse?

Absolutely. Until he can consistently put together the types of Grand Slam results as his peers in the top five have, Del Potro cannot be considered as anything but an outside threat.

However, the fact that Del Potro is ranked outside the top 10 speaks more to the incredible quality and depth of the men's game more than it does about Del-Po's consistency. 

Can the mercurial Argentine talent turn the corner and establish himself as a regular in the quarters and semis of the Grand Slams?

Tennis fans sure hope so. 

3. Andy Roddick

American tennis fans would love to see one last great hurrah from their beloved Andy Roddick. Passed over by players with greater variety and consistency, Andy Roddick still has a big enough serve and a powerful enough forehand to be a threat.

American tennis fans worried about an unknown next generation and the fast approaching end of an era would love nothing more than to see Roddick make one last valiant run to the Quarterfinals.

Does he have what it takes to make the final eight? Considering his strong finish to the end of last season and depending on the difficulty of his draw, yes. 

2. Bernard Tomic

Aussies haven't been this excited about their chances at the Australian Open since the days of Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter, and with good reason.

Tomic is the real deal, and at age 19, he has superstar status written all over him. There is so much to like about this Aussie teenager: Whether it's his monster serve, powerful all-court game or fierce competitive spirit, fans are piling onto the teen sensation's already-crowded bandwagon after his astonishing run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals last summer.

Best of all for Aussie fans, Bernard Tomic loves playing in front of the home crowd.

Last year alone, Tomic racked up 12 wins on his home turf including two wins and a victory over No. 31-ranked Feliciano Lopez on his way to the third round.

Tomic's potential and Grand Slam success have Australian tennis fans salivating over what is to come.

I can't blame them. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy!

1. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Like his French compatriot Monfils, Tsonga is fun to watch. Coming off a victory over Monfils to capture the title in Doha, Tsonga cemented his status as the top threat in his country to challenge the likes of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal.

With wins over Nadal, Federer, Ferrer and Berdych, Tsonga is the most likely to unseat one of the top four and reach the semifinals and beyond, which is great news for tennis fans who are eager to see more of his explosive shot-making.