Next Gen prospects hit pay dirt in Barcelona

Apr 28, 2017

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Next Gen prospects hit pay dirt in Barcelona

Hyeon Chung and Karen Khachanov pulled off big wins in Spain.

Published Apr 28, 2017

Next Generation prospect Alexander Zverev took a wildcard into the Barcelona Open for another crack at the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. Except that his momentum was derailed by fellow 20-year-old Hyeon Chung 6-1, 6-4 in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Russian Karen Khachanov, born two days after South Korea's Chung, pulled off the biggest win of his career by defeating Monte Carlo semifinalist David Goffin.

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Get used to it. There’s a breeding ground of fierce competitiveness with Next Generation players all jockeying to develop into future stars. The Next Generation campaign is the ATP's big push for players 21 and under, who will compete in the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in November.

The Barcelona results are still somewhat surprising. Chung and Khachanov weren’t exactly lighting up the tour. Khachanov won just two ATP tour main-draw singles matches since the Australian Open, while Chung won just one after winning an ATP Challenger in January.

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Chung had been languishing with ATP results since losing in four sets to Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open, entering this week with a 4-4 record. There are times his frustration has gotten the better of him, but this time the shoe was on the other foot.

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“I tried to focus on every point and stay calm as well,” Chung said in an interview with the ATP.

Next up? That Nadal guy who seems to block every route to a clay-court trophy. But Chung is playing with house money, and he can only grow from the experience.

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At 6’6”, Khachanov possesses a big forehand and serve and he has a serviceable backhand. He'll be happy with this quarterfinal showing after entering Barcelona with a 4-11 2017 record, but has a shot to go farther when he faces Horacio Zeballos.

The world No. 56 attributed his big win to being competitive and playing consistent.

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Life on the tour is a grind, especially at stops like Barcelona where topspin and slow red clay can test the resolve of anyone. For now, the young guns should be happy to have made a statement.