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ATP World Tour: Rising tennis stars whom you need to know

By Maxwell Ogden

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Alexander Zverev of Germany serves during the Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match against Milos Raonic of Canada on day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Alexander Zverev of Germany serves during the Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match against Milos Raonic of Canada on day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JULY 25: Frances Tiafoe serves to John Millman of Australia during the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station on July 25, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 25: Frances Tiafoe serves to John Millman of Australia during the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station on July 25, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Frances Tiafoe, USA

Age: 19 (1/20/1998)
ATP World Tour Ranking: No. 67
Race to Milan Ranking: No. 8
2017 W-L Record: 3-10 (2-3 in Grand Slams)

If you’re looking for an American player to provide you with a sense of hope and optimism, then Frances Tiafoe is your guy. At 19 years of age, Tiafoe is already commanding respect around the world for his limitless upside.

A young man who gave Roger Federer trouble at the Miami Open, Tiafoe has the tools to resurrect men’s American tennis with future brilliance at Grand Slam events.

Tiafoe’s moment of glory came during the Round of 64 at the Miami Open. Federer won the encounter in straight sets, but Tiafoe forced a tiebreak and brought fans to their feet as he gave the greatest of all-time a run for his money.

Federer went on to win the match 7-6, 6-3, but it was a wonderful look at just how special Tiafoe could be once he’s figured his game out.

Tiafoe is currently No. 7 in the Race to Milan rankings—the highest of any American player. He’s won two ATP Challenger titles in 2017, including a dramatic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory over ATP mainstay Jeremy Chardy at the 2017 Open du Pays d’Aix—an event at which he also defeated Jurgen Melzer.

Tiafoe is more upside than established ability at this current juncture, but he’s the youngest player in the Top 100, and has already grabbed the attention of some of the world’s elite.

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