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After witnessing some wonderful performances in Vienna and Basel, the focus now shifts to the Paris Masters which will be played in France from tomorrow. This is the last Masters 1000 tournament of the year, and it will see some of the finest players in the world taking part.
Some of these players have already announced themselves on the big stage, and are regarded as future stars of the tennis world. But they will have to contend with the Big 3 (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic), who are also taking part in the event.
Last year’s edition was won by Karen Khachanov, and the out-of-form Russian will be eager to replicate that performance. Here, let us take a look at five players outside the Big 3 who have the potential to win the Paris Masters:
#1 Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem is considered to be the next shining star of tennis. The 26-year-old finished as the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open this year. He has won four titles in 2019 - two on clay (Barcelona and Kitzbuhel) and two on hardcourt (Indian Wells and Beijing).
Thiem's destructive groundstrokes combined with his explosive movement can trouble any opponent. His calmness during pressure situations and willingness to change his game style based on the circumstances have made him a force to reckon with on all surfaces.
Thiem would be hoping to do well in back-to-back tournaments, having also reached the Vienna final where he will take on Diego Schwartzman.
#2 Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev hasn't quite lived up to the expectations this year. Many believe the German needs some more time to develop the temperament one needs to excel in pressure situations - especially in knockout rounds, where he tends to get a bit nervous.
The 22-year-old won the Madrid Masters in May 2018 by beating Dominic Thiem in the final, and followed that up with victory at the ATP Finals to end the year on a high note. But he hasn't won any big title since then, with his runner-up finish at the Shanghai Masters this month being his only notable result.
Zverev can outsmart his opponents with his intelligent moves and precise baseline play. His rasping serve can keep his rivals perpetually on the backfoot, while he also has the ability to surprise his opponents with some quick forays to the net.
Zverev is in the running to qualify for a place at the ATP Finals in London, and he will be hoping to do well in Paris and cement his claim.
#3 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas is the torch-bearer of Greek tennis, and a player who can be one of the biggest stars in the future. The 21-year-old has caught everyone’s eye with some fine performances, and has defeated each of the Big 3 in 2019.
Tsitsipas has the ability to play long rallies, and his deceptive moves can trouble any opponent. He made it to the final of the Madrid Open this year in May, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. He also made it to the Australian Open semifinals, beating Roger Federer along the way.
Though Tsitsipas has shown lots of promise, the 21-year-old needs to develop the temperament to bring his best day in and day out. He has shown a tendency to falter against lower-ranked opponents, and he would have to guard against that in Paris.
#4 Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev is another player touted to be a superstar in the making. Medvedev has been on an absolute tear over the last three months, reaching six consecutive finals and winning the last two Masters in Cincinnati and Shanghai.
Medvedev made it to the final of this year’s US Open where he lost to Rafael Nadal. But he hasn't lost a match since, and will enter the Paris Masters as one of the favorites to lift the trophy.
The Russian's destructive two-handed backhand can outclass any opponent, especially on quick courts. He is the player to beat on the men's tour right now, and is expected to set up a semifinal clash against Novak Djokovic in Paris.
#5 Matteo Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini is one of those players who can topple any player when he is at his best. The 23-year-old is one of the most promising talents in the Italian tennis fraternity.
Berrettini made it to the semifinal of this year’s US Open, where he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal. He has had a brilliant season overall, and is in prime position to lock up a spot at the ATP Finals in London.
Berrettini's game is built on a big serve and powerful forehand, both of which he has used to devastating effect in the second half of 2019. He reached the semifinals of both the Shanghai Masters and the Vienna Open last month, and would be backed to repeat the feat in Paris.
