Australian Open 2017: 5 players who can surprise with their performance

#5 Alexander Zverev

Zverev's backhand is as powerful as most player's forehand on tour

19-year old Alexander "Sascha" Zverev is exactly what tennis needs. A young superstar, who can challenge the big guys. Zverev has done exactly that. At just 19, he's already won his first ATP title, has beaten top players like Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, & Tomas Berdych on the ATP Tour.

But the tall, lanky German hasn't exactly been able to replicate these performances at Grand Slams, his best effort being reaching the Round of 32 at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2016. Zverev's never made it past the first round in Melbourne, but with the kind of improvement he's shown towards the end of last year, there's no reason why he can't have a big run next week, especially with his brand of power tennis.

Zverev's backhand is as powerful as most player's forehand on tour. Same is the case with his second serve, that would put most players' first serve to shame. Add them to an ever-improving forehand, & this Australian Open could be the big breakthrough that this German teenager and his fans are passionately dreaming of.