Australian Open 2012 Bracket: Which Dark Horses Will Be Bracket Busters?

Everyone knows that Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova will be the faces of the 2012 Australian Open, but predicting them to win is like predicting the New York Yankees to win a World Series: There is no fun in making that bet. 

We want to look at the players that are going to put together runs that will shock the tennis world. Some of them will be names that we are familiar with; others will be so far off the grid that you will wonder what I am thinking. Either way, these players have the potential to do some damage this year. 

So which players are going to break some brackets and hearts in this year's Australian Open?

Milos Raonic

Best Australian Open Finish: 4th Round (2011)

Raonic had his best finish in a grand slam event at last year's Australian Open. He is just 21 years old and has the potential to do great things if he can just make a few adjustments to his game. 

The first thing that you notice in Raonic's game is his serve; he hit one at 150 miles per hour last year. But as we know, in this sport you have to do more than just hit the ball hard. 

He is starting to get a much better feel for his backhand, though it is far from a finished product. He is entering this tournament with momentum on his side after winning the Chennai Open on January 8. 

Christina McHale

Never Made It Past First Round In Tournament

McHale has not had a lot of success at this event in the past, but she is just 19 years old and showed some promise in major events last year. 

She has yet to break through to a quarterfinal in a big event, but she built up a good resume, making it to the third round of the U.S. Open. 

If 2011 was the year we got a taste of what McHale is capable of, this year will be about her taking the next step and winning events. She may not win this tournament, but she will pull off at least one big upset along the way. 

Bernard Tomic

Best Australian Open Finish: 3rd Round (2011)

Another 19-year-old, Tomic is becoming the darling of the men's scene. He made it to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon last year, and figures to take the next step in 2012. 

He has a solid all-around game right now, but the key to him breaking through is that he has some room to grow. 

I don't know if he will beat Djokovic or Nadal if he were to match up with them at some point in this tournament, but I can see him defeating anyone else because he is fast, serves well and is not afraid to attack the net to press his opponents. 

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For A Look At This Year's Australian Open Draw, Click Here