Teenager Alexander Zverev caused a major shock as he beat top seed Roger Federer in the Halle semi-finals Saturday.
The 19-year-old Zverev triumphed 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-3 to reach only his second ATP Tour final after being beaten by Dominic Thiem on clay in Nice last month.
Here are 10 facts about the rising German star.
1. Alexander’s father – Alexander – was also a professional tennis player. His father played in the Soviet Union before the family moved to Germany in 1991. His mother Irena is a tennis coach.
2. His older brother Mischa – now 28 – is also a pro and topped the rankings at No. 45 in 2009.
3. Between October 2013 and June 2014, Alexander occupied the World No1 spot in the Junior rankings.
4. Alexander first captured the imagination of tennis fans in 2014 by clinching the Braunschweig title at just 17, becoming the youngest player to secure an ATP Challenger Trophy since Bernard Tomic in 2009.
5. He is part of ATP’s Next Generation campaign, which includes 14 of the top young players on tour born in 1995 or later.
6. Now 19, Alexander is currently the youngest player in the top-50.
7. At 6ft 6, he could have even been a basketball star with his towering frame, and considers himself a Miami Heat fanatic.
8. He counts LeBron James and Roger Federer among his role models.
9. He is known for his powerful serving, with first-serves regularly going over 130 mph.
10. Alexander’s close friends on tour include Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Andrey Rublev.
