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2. Alexander Zverev – Rank 54th (Age: 18 years)
Endowed with silky smooth strokes and dashing looks, 18-year-old Alexander Zverev looks certain to be the poster boy of the next generation. With a string of good results and some tenacious play against the sport’s crème this season, the 6’6’’ German has already made experts sit up and take notice.
At Indian Wells, Nadal himself anointed him as the future No. 1 right after which the gangly teenager summoned some of his best to come within one point of toppling the Spaniard in the fourth round.
Hardcourt is where he has shown his prowess so far this season but he is equally adept on the red dirt. He has already two ATP Tour semi-finals to show for on this gritty surface which further testifies his patience and resilience.
It is clear that at Monaco, he will not go down without a fight. He started with a very comfortable win over fellow 18-year-old Andrey Rublev. The in-form 11th seed David Goffin lurks in his part of the draw and if he manages to cross that hurdle, the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic looms large. It will be quite a commendable effort if he can make it till the quarters where he is supposed to face-off with the Serb.
