The seeds for the 2015 Australian Open were announced Wednesday, with the 32 top-ranked WTA pros occupying their proper place in the draw, while ATP players got a lucky break on account of Marin Cilic and Jo Wilfried Tsonga withdrawing due to injuries. While you probably know the top pros entering the event, there may be a few names on the list of seeded players that sound unfamiliar. Here’s a selection of 10 lesser-known seeded players who you should watch in this year’s Aussie Open. Expect big things from these competitors — upsets happen all the time and they’re often the most exciting part of tennis!
Ekaterina Makarova, Russia (10)
Age: 26
Highest Ranking: 10 (current)
Turned Pro: 2004
Singles Titles: 2010 Aegon International in Eastbourne, England and 2014 PTT Pattaya Open in Pattaya, Thailand
Highlight: In 2014, made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open, losing to Serena Williams
Roberto Bautista Agut, Spain (13)
Age: 26
Highest Ranking: 14 (2014)
Turned Pro: 2006
Singles Titles: 2014 MercedesCup in Stuttgart, Germany and 2014 TopShelf Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
Highlight: Defeated fifth-ranked Tomas Berdych in the round of 64 at Indian Wells last year
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Czech Republic (25)
Age: 28
Highest Ranking: 25 (current)
Turned Pro: 2003
Singles Titles: 2011 Bell Challenge in Quebec City, Canada
Highlight: Defeated Li Na and Caroline Wozniacki in Wimbledon last year before losing to eventual champion Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals
Kevin Anderson, South Africa (14)
Age: 28
Highest Ranking: 16 (current)
Turned Pro: 2007
Singles Titles: 2012 Delray Beach Open by the Venetian Las Vegas and 2011 SA Tennis Open in Johannesburg, South Africa
Highlight: Lost in three set-tiebreakers to John Isner in the finals of the 2013 BB&T Atlanta Open
Elina Svitolina, Ukraine (26)
Age: 20
Highest Ranking: 26 (current)
Turned Pro: 2010
Singles Titles: 2013 and 2014 Baku Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan
Highlight: Made it to the semifinals of the 2015 Brisbane International, losing to eventual champion Maria Sharapova
Leonardo Mayer, Argentina (26)
Age: 27
Highest Ranking: 25 (2014)
Turned Pro: 2003
Singles Titles: 2014 bet-at-home Open in Hamburg, Germany
Highlight: Made it to the round of 16 at Wimbledon last year before losing to no. 13 Grigor Dimitrov
Garbiñe Muguruza, Venezuela (24)
Age: 21
Highest Ranking: 21 (2014)
Turned Pro: 2011
Singles Titles: 2014 Hobart International in Hobart, Australia
Highlight: Knocked out Serena Williams early on at the 2014 French Open on her way to the quarterfinals, where she lost to eventual champion Maria Sharapova in three sets
David Goffin, Belgium (20)
Age: 24
Highest Ranking: 22 (current)
Turned Pro: 2009
Singles Titles: 2014 Moselle Open in Metz, France and 2014 Generali Open in Kitzbühel, Austria
Highlight: Defeated ninth-ranked Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Swiss Indoors Basel before losing to Roger Federer in the finals
Karolina Pliskova, Czech Republic (22)
Age: 22
Highest Ranking: 22 (current)
Turned Pro: 2009
Singles Titles: 2013 Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur; 2014 Korea Open in Seoul; 2014 Generali Ladies Linz in Linz, Austria
Highlight: Upset Ana Ivanovic in straight sets at the 2014 U.S. Open
Julien Benneteau, France (25)
Age: 33
Highest Ranking: 25 (2014)
Turned Pro: 2000
Singles Titles: 10 total from 2008-2014
Highlight: Defeated Roger Federer in straight sets on his way to the finals of the 2013 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament
