Teenagers to watch in 2015... Belinda Bencic

Is there finally a new Swiss miss?

Fifteen years ago, if someone had said that teenagers would be all but extinct from the top of the women's game, many would have thought they were crazy. But the current climate of the WTA is just that, a physical and demanding sport that just isn't made for girls still developing their games.

Enter Belinda Bencic, such is the talent of the young Swiss, she has been able to create a name for herself at just seventeen years of age. In a world where tennis is dominated by strong, athletic women in their late 20s, the youngster has shone through with fine finesse and free flowing ability. With a singles ranking of 32, Bencic will be seeded at Grand Slam events in 2015 which should provide a platform to bigger and better things.

During her stellar run at the US Open. Source: Zimbio

You wouldn't say that Swiss tennis is the strongest in the world, but they do make a strong case. With Federer and Wawrinka at the top of the world in the men's game, they need a female champion to complete the set. Gone are the days where Martina Hingis was the Swiss Miss and dominated the women's game with her immense skill and picked apart her opponents like a precise operation, however the tiny European may have found a new women's champion.

"I'm willing to call it, Belinda Bencic will be winning grand slams..."

Belinda Bencic seems ready to take over the mantle as the new Swiss Miss and has the game to back it up.  She has already conquered the junior world, becoming the world number 1 junior in 2013 along with two junior grand slams (Roland Garros and Wimbledon). Her transition to the senior game has been most impressive, so smooth it was that it caught most people off guard.

Her 2014 highlights included a stellar run at the Premier clay event in Charleston where she reached the semi finals. She also made her first appearance in a WTA final at the International event in Tianjin. Perhaps her finest effort though was her breakthrough on the big stage at the US Open where she reached the quarter final. Bencic announced herself to the world with wins over the likes of Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic.

Winning the Roland Garros girls title. Source: Zimbio

Bencic has an all round game, her technique is sound off both wings. She takes the ball early to create more power but also understands the importance of playing the percentages, much like Hingis did in her wonder years. The young Swiss is fast, her movement and defence win her a lot of matches and can frustrate the best of players. Don't take Bencic for just another retriever though, she can create her own pace and put the ball away for a winner if she needs to.

Going forward, I'd like to see Belinda create a big weapon in her game, a weapon that her opponents will be scared to hit to. Right now, she beats opponents with consistent pressure, she can run down every ball but if they drop it short she will also put it away. Her game will develop in the coming years, she's playing in the most physical generation of women's tennis so it will take time.

Perhaps more importantly than anything, she has the belief. She knows that she belongs at the top of the game, this will take her a long way. It's always interesting to see how young player back up after their breakout year, it'll really be a testament to Bencic if she can keep kicking on as most teenagers will have a let down after an amazing season. 

I'm willing to call it, Belinda Bencic will be winning grand slams in 2-3 years time.

 

Teenagers to watch in 2015... Alexander Zverev

There's a new kid on the block

Mischa Zverev's little brother Alexander stepped out of his older brothers shadow and into the spotlight at the start of this year. At the 2014 Australian Open boys singles tournament, the then sixteen year-old German slaughtered American Stefan Kozlov 6-3, 6-0 to win the title.

"I have no doubt that he can reach the top of the tennis temple"

 

The Australian Open Boys title was just the beginning for Zverev, 2014 proved to be a break-out year for the young star.

Genetically blessed, Zverev stands at 6 foot. 6 and makes the most of his height with a booming serve. His serve is not one-dimensional however, he can hit all corners of the service box from the same ball toss. It's hard to read and is giving all of his opponents plenty of trouble.

Winning the Australian Open Boys Title - Source: Zimbio

At the start of July, Zverev took a few more big steps with his gangly frame to win his first title on the Challenger tour. Beating three top-100 players in the process, he became the youngest player to win on the circuit since Bernard Tomic in 2009. Looking right at home on the red-dirt, the German overcame Paul-Henri Mathieu in three sets.

Continuing to impress on the clay, Alexander won his first ATP tour match in Hamburg. Zverev proved tough to beat that tournament, winning his way to the semi finals to face Spaniard David Ferrer. While the match against Ferrer proved that Zverev wasn't quite ready to take down the very best, the world certainly stood up and took notice of the feisty young German.

His long levers create awesome top-spin off both sides, along with pin-point accuracy, Zverev will be a force on all surfaces. With so much upside and potential, all eyes are on Alexander to see what he can do in 2015. Moving forward, Zverev will have to keep his hot head under control. All of the top players can keep calm in moments of trepidation, if Zverev can develop this same skills I have no doubt that he can reach the top of the tennis temple.

At home on clay - Source: Zimbio

Already reaching the pinnacle of the junior ranks in 2013, Zverev turned his attention to the senior tour in 2014. He should be aiming to be a regular main stay inside the top 100 in 2015. He'll start the Australian summer in qualifying, but I think he is ready to start winning main draw matches at the grand slams.

The German is already quite well known to the tennis fraternity, but I think 2015 will be the year when the wider public will learn the name... Alexander Zverev.