Former world's no.1 and 14-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal has no inkling of a doubt German teenager Alexander Zverev will become tennis' top gun sooner or later.
Nadal, who punched his way to the fourth round of Indian Wells Open following his straight set revenge victory over this year's Australian Open conqueror Fernando Verdasco, truly believes in the kid's immense potential to the extent that he's already predicting Zverev as future world's no.1.
'He's a clear possible future no. 1.' Nadal said of Zverev in a press conference via Tennis World USA. 'He's an amazing player. He has all the shots. It's going to be a very tough match tomorrow for me, and I have to be ready to fight, to suffer, and to try to play aggressive. That's what I'm going to try.'
Zverev, 18-year old netter from Germany, has been nothing short of impressive through the first week of Indian Wells Open competition, upsetting a top-10 caliber player after another to secure a date with Nadal in the round-of-16.
First on his list was Grigor Dimitrov whom he defeated in a three-set battle 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. The German followed it up with another spectacular win over seasoned contender Gilles Simon 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, eliminating the French man in just over one hour.
"Beating someone like Gilles 6-2, 6-2 is something that gives me a lot of confidence," said Zverev, the ATP Star Of Tomorrow Presented by Emirates in 2015.
Although he's no stranger in beating highly-ranked foes, this year's performance at Indian Wells is by the most impressive campaign he has made ever since turning pro over a year ago. On Wednesday, he will have a chance to make it even more special, if he's able to scalp the head of Nadal.