5 unexpected Australian Open champions in the Open Era

In recent years, although a number of players have dominated proceedings in Melbourne, there have been some shock final upsets, with a few ousters thrown in on the way for good measure.Often, it is top-5 players who take the title at the Australian Open - but here are 5 cases where a dark horse at the tournament put up a fight and persevered to eventually win the title despite not being considered a contender in the earlier stages of the tournament.

#5 Barbara Jordan

American Barbara Jordan won the title in 1979 after being seeded 5^th at the tournament

American tennis player Barbara Jordan had a highest-ever rank of 37^th in the singles, and although she did well at the collegiate level, she was not among the best players of her time.

Jordan had never reached the final of a Grand Slam before 1979, and had been seeded 5^th at that year’s Australian Open behind several higher-ranked, more proficient players. That did not appear to deter Jordan, who dropped only one set en route the finals, where she beat compatriot Sharon Walsh, who was seeded 4^th ahead of her, in straight sets.

It wouldn’t be Jordan’s last Grand Slam title, however, as she went on to win the mixed doubles title at the French Open four years later, in 1983, with compatriot Eliot Teltscher.