Giant server Johansson eyes top 10
He grew up in the same town as Bjorn Borg but that is about as far as the comparison goes for Joachim Johansson, Sweden's big hope at the Australian Open.
He grew up in the same town as Bjorn Borg but that is about as far as the comparison goes for Joachim Johansson, Sweden's big hope at the Australian Open.
Raised in Sodertalje just south of Stockholm like the 11-times Grand Slam champion, the 22-year-old Johansson is not known for the kind of patient baseline play that saw Borg rule the tennis world in his day.
Johansson, ranked 11th in the world, has much more in common with American Andy Roddick, relying heavily on a devastating serve and a thunderous forehand that he used to hit wide far too often.
While world number two Roddick, who is the same age as Johansson, erupted on the tour at the tender age of 18, success came at a slower pace for the Swede.
Last year Johansson entered the top 100 for the first time and until 2004 he saw little action beyond challenger tournaments.