I see something in Alexsandr Dolgopolov Jr.

Certain players stand out from the pack. I have a pretty decent eye on spotting extraordinary talent in tennis, a confidence that was gained by sensing early the genius of Marcelo Rios and Roger Federer. Yeah, I know, it's obvious now but it wasn't so clear back when Rios was still a teenager down two breaks in the fifth set in 1994 to the seeded Thomas Enqvist at the U.S. Open. The passionate Rios battled back tooth and nail with some magical macho tennis and some unforgettably cocky court behavior - spitting at the ball, blowing the ball out, grabbing his crotch - to force a tiebreak which he lost. But you could see this smooth colorful kid had major talent and the will and the drive. Four years later he was #1 in the world. When Federer finally won his first Wimbledon in 2003, there were still many critics who doubted that the Swiss man had it in him to dominate tennis... Continue to read full article...

Ukrainian now #43 ATP - and ascending fast