Australian Open 2012: Assessing Andy Murray and Contenders Without a Grand Slam

The Australian Open has been thoroughly entertaining at the time of writing, halfway through the men's quarterfinals.

The only problem seems to be that the three dominant players in the game who have won multiple Grand Slams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have looked comfortable.

We are searching for that first time Grand Slam winner and the number of the candidates are slim, once again.

With the presumption that Nadal overcomes Tomas Berdych in their quarterfinal that is currently in progress, there are just three players left in the tournament who have not won a Grand Slam yet.

Here, I profile these three players and assess their chances that the Australian Open will be the Grand Slam to break their duck.

Kei Nishikori, Japan

Kei Nishikori is the rank-outsider for the Australian Open.

Nishikori defied the odds to triumph in a five-set thriller against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and has enjoyed a year-long surge up the rankings.

He is the highest ever ranked Japanese player as the world No. 24 and will surely be able to rise further after he is done in Melbourne.

I give him no shot though against his quarterfinal opponent Andy Murray.

In many ways the two players have similarly aligned careers as both have been criticised for falling short physically and needing some extra work in the gym to make them regular contenders.

Murray completed that work over a year a go and has been able to beat the top three players in the world regularly in ATP tour events.

Murray revealed to the BBC that Nishikori is "very deceptive" given "he is not the tallest" and that "he creates a lot of power."

High praise from the world No. 4 but his next point is what gives me no doubt that he will triumph over the Nishikori.

Murray said Nishikori was "dictating all the points from the back of the court against Tsonga."

This is true enough but it is also a major strength of Murray who will also have the greater experience and consistency at this level.

Murray won their only previous meeting at the Shanghai Masters last year, 6-3, 6-0.

I expect similar dominance over three sets tomorrow.

Odds: 150/1

David Ferrer, Spain

David Ferrer is an interesting player due to having an all-round game that has enabled him to reach reach the second week of Grand Slams throughout his career.

The Spaniard reached world No. 4 in 2008 and is currently world No. 5, which is as high as he can hope to reach given the dominance of the top four.

His best asset is his fitness and although he does not have any weapons, Ferrer's ability to make his opponent make errors is highly valuable.

A relentless runner on the court and one of the game's best returners, Ferrer will make his opponents beat him.

Unfortunately, given the high calibre of opponents still remaining in the tournament, this will not be enough.

Novak Djokovic will take plenty of risks against Ferrer but even if the world No. 1 is slightly off, he will have enough to grind out the win.

Odds: 50/1

Andy Murray, Great Britain

Andy Murray is destined to win a Grand Slam, one day.

The world No. 4 is as consistent as ever in the Grand Slams as he has reached the semifinal stage of each of last year's four Grand Slams, which gives him a chance at every Grand Slam.

Murray has got to the final of the Australian Open twice which leads me to believe that this is the Grand Slam to break his duck.

Novak Djokovic was in the same boat in 2008 and I feel Murray can replicate that run.

It is therefore, a blessing, that Murray is meeting the world No. 1, Djokovic, in the semifinal provided that both players can overcome their quarterfinals.

This was the same situation that faced Djokovic going in to the 2008 Australian Open semifinal, against Roger Federer.

I feel Murray has a great opportunity as he has only dropped 26 games in four matches since his first round opponent, Ryan Harrison, took the opening set.

His court time is minimal which means he is fresh and prepared to play five sets against Djokovic.

For this reason alone I feel Murray will be able to win their semifinal and ultimately win his first ever Grand Slam.

Odds: 4/1

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