Karen Khachanov
Karen Khachanov (Image: facebook)
This talented Russian in one of the finest rising stars in the ATP circuit. Khachanov has been steadily rising up the ranking and is now a regular feature in the top 15 best players in the World.
Khachanov’s finest career moment came last year at Paris Masters when he beat the World Number 1 Novak Djokovic in the final. The title gave this flamboyant Russian a much needed self belief to succeed at the big stage.
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Khachanov’s epic match with Rafa Nadal at the US Open 2018 also showed his fighting spirit, even when pitted against the greats of the game. Though the Russian has not had the best of 2019 so far but he is reckoned as one of the powerful contenders to challenge the Big 3 at Grand Slam level.
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image: facebook)
Had it not been his rough journey at Grand Slams so far, Sascha Zverev might have been the top contender among the young generation to win a Major title. The young German has already won 3 Masters Events with 1 each in Madrid, Rome and the Rogers Cup in Canada.
However by his huge standards Zverev’s success in the Grand Slams has been less than expected. His best showing at a major event is the Quarterfinal at Roland Garros in 2018.
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The German won the Nitto ATP Finals last year defeating Federer in the semis and Djokovic in the finals. Also, his new coaching partnership with the great Ivan Lendl may give the German much needed belief to succeed at the Grand Slam stage.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas (Image: facebook)
Just a year ago the Greek sensation did not even feature in the main draw of important tournaments. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas has made a rapid progress in the ATP rankings by not only breaking into the top 10 but also giving the games best players a run for their money.
This year he has already reached the semifinal of the Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Tsitsipas also achieved the rare feat of defeating Nadal on clay at the Madrid Open this year. He has also been a finalist at Barcelona Open and Roger Cup in 2018, losing both matches to Nadal.
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In fact Tsitsipas is among few young players along with Dominic Thiem and Nick Kyrgios who has managed to win against Nadal, Federer as well as Djokovic. With his career progressing at such a rapid pace Tsitsipas is among the potential favorite to achieve slam success on Clay as well as Hard Courts.
Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem (Image: facebook)
The Austrian superstar has been pinned to succeed Rafa Nadal as the dominating player on Clay, once the Spaniard hangs his boots. Thiem’s best chance to taste Slam success is at the French Open. However, the biggest obstacle to his goal is the King of Clay, who continues to stand tall.
Thiem has been the 2nd best to Nadal on Clay since 2017. The Austrian has powerful ground-strokes, an effective backhand and can hit the ball with high topspin. All this have paved his success at Roland Garrios in last 3 years. Thiem was the semifinalist at the French Open in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, the Austrian moved 1 step ahead to finish as the finalist, losing to Nadal.
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In 2019 Thiem is having a career best year. He defeated Federer to win his 1st Masters at Indian Wells. The Austrian also won Barcelona Open. He has now had 4 wins against Nadal on clay and is only the 2nd player to do so after Novak Djokovic.
In the French Open this year, Thiem is the 3rd strongest favourite, standing next only to Nadal and Djokovic. A bit of luck, a favourable draw and some quality performance may see the Austrian lifting the title this year in Paris.