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After witnessing some intriguing contests in the recently-concluded Shanghai Masters, Kremlin Cup in Russia, Stockholm Open, European Open in Antwerp, the focus now shifts to Basel in Switzerland. Yes, the ATP Swiss Indoors is about to begin.
Roger Federer went down to Croatia’s Borna Coric in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, but the Swiss legend once again showed why he is still considered the best as the 37-year-old produced some determined performances.
Roger Federer won the tournament last year and will be eager to replicate his last year’s performances in Basel. Novak Djokovic, who won the Shanghai Masters by beating Borna Coric of Croatia in the final, will not take part in the tournament. As we know, the ATP events provide a perfect platform for the players to get the much-needed practice ahead of any Grand Slam event or any other major ATP event, and the Swiss Indoors will be no different.
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The tournament will be without some of the heavyweights apart from Novak Djokovic, like Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Nadal is out with an injury while Andy Murray has announced that he will not take part in any of the tournaments in the ongoing calendar year. Playing in Switzerland will motivate Federer to do well as the home fans will surely be cheering for their local hero.
Federer will once again be in the limelight to win the title but could face a test against the likes of Marin Cilic and Alexander Zverev. Apart from them, the tournament will give some of the lesser known players a much-required chance to shine at the highest level. As we know, ATP events have thrown surprise winners and this tournament will be no different.
We take a look at 5 such players who could be the contenders for the tournament.
#1 Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev has been touted as the next big thing in the tennis circuit, but the German hasn’t lived up to his billing. Many think that the German may need some more time to develop the temperament one needs to excel, especially in knockout rounds when the German tends to get a bit nervous.
Zverev also tends to get a bit erratic during pressure situations. The number 5 seed had stated that playing more such events will help him to prepare for Grand Slam events. The 22-year-old won the Madrid Masters in May by beating Dominic Thiem in the final and was the runner-up in Miami Masters and Rome masters in March and May.
He also won the Bavarian International Tennis Championship in April. His precise baseline game has at times outfoxed his opponents. He also won the Washington Open in July by beating Australia’s Alex De Minaur in the final.
His rasping serves can outclass his rivals, while he has this ability to surprise his opponents with his quick serves. Zverev’s backhand strokes are considered to be his main strength and it is an area where the German can be a big threat to his rivals.
#2 Marin Cilic
Marin Cilic is another player who hasn’t done justice to his talent. The Croatian was the runner-up in the last edition of Wimbledon as the 30-year-old lost his way in that game because of an injury. This year too, he was a runner-up in the Australian Open as he lost to Roger Federer in the final. Cilic also won the Queens Club Championships before the Wimbledon tournament.
The 2014 US Open champion had stated that winning the Swiss Indoors tournament will give him a much-required boost to do well in the upcoming tournaments and the Grand Slam tournaments next year. Cilic is seeded 6th in the upcoming Swiss Indoors event and has stated that doing well in this tournament will help him improve his rankings.
His sublime baseline strokes have always unsettled his opponents. Cilic has this ability to produce some brilliant groundstrokes during the run of play, which can outclass his rivals. He can also execute some exceptional drop shots. Cilic can also cover a lot of ground with his reach and quick moves.
#3 Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev is touted to be another superstar in the making in the tennis circle. Medvedev won the Sydney International in January by beating local player Alex De Minaur in the final. He also recently won the Japan Open this month by beating Kei Nishikori in the final. He also made it to the semi-finals of the recently-concluded Kremlin Cup in Russia.
The 22-year-old is quite good with his deceptive drop shots and can be a tricky player during net play. The Russian has also shown his sharpness with his precise baseline game. Recently he was quoted as saying that he wants to work more on his serves. Medvedev had also stated that maintaining calmness on the court helps him to sail through pressure situations.
His destructive two-handed backhands can outclass any opponent, especially on grass and hard courts. Medvedev also went on to say that doing well in the ATP events has helped him improve his game.
#4 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas is another player who has a vast amount of talent to achieve superstar status in the tennis circuit. The 20-year-old can produce some powerful groundstrokes. The Greek is also known for his precise baseline strokes and superb forehands.
Tsitsipas is equally good at playing long rallies but tends to get erratic while playing against top-ranked players. He finished runner-up in the final of the Barcelona Open in April and the Canadian Open in August. He also won the Stockholm Open on Sunday by beating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in the final.
Though Tsitsipas has shown lots of promise, the 20-year-old needs to develop the temperament to play against some top-ranked players. Some ex-players have been vocal about his talent and have lamented that playing in big tournaments and Grand Slams will surely help him develop as a better player in the future. It will also help him mature as a player and and enable him to handle pressure situations.
#5 Marco Cecchinato
Marco Cecchinato is another player who can steal the limelight in the near future. Cecchinato made everyone take notice of his talent in this year’s French Open when he beat Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the tournament. He also won the Croatian Open in July after beating Guido Pella of Argentina in the final.
The Italian is a quick mover on the court and has looked brilliant with his exceptional baseline strokes. His backhands can trouble any opponent because of the power he possesses.
The 26-year-old can outclass his rivals with his devastating groundstrokes. Cecchinato was quoted as saying that he also worked really hard on his serves which, at times, didn’t look sharp. Cecchinato is a swift mover on the court which makes it difficult for the opponents to track his movements. Cecchinato can also be a tricky player because of his deceptive drop shots.
