Australian Open 2017: Top 5 contenders for the title

Modified Jan 10, 2017 04:23 GMT

DOHA, QATAR - JANUARY 7 : Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves the ball to Andy Murray of Great Britain during the men's singles final match of the ATP Qatar Open tennis competition held at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex on January 7, 2017 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by AK BijuRaj/Getty Images) — Djokovic has dominated the Australian Open like no other player in history

5) Kei Nishikori

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Kei Nishikori of Japan plays a forehand in the Men's Final match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during day eight of the Brisbane international at Pat Rafter Arena on January 8, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) — Nishikori is known to favor hard courts, and has done well at the Australian Open

It's no secret that Nishikori prefers hard courts over anything other surface. Out of his 11 ATP titles, 9 have come on hard courts. This trend carries over to Grand Slams as well. Kei has breached the quarter-final barrier six times, out of which five have been on hard courts.

Three of these happen to be quarter-final showings at Melbourne Park.

At 27, Kei's not getting any younger.

And having had a prolonged taste of top level tennis, one might think that this year could finally be the year when he breaks his Grand Slam drought. Kei has had a good feel of the conditions in Australia, having made the final at Brisbane only last week, and this should stand him in good stead before the battle at Melbourne Park.

While the US Open might act as another great opportunity, there is no doubt that Kei will be giving it his all come the first Grand Slam of the year.