The Baseline Player of the Week: Alexander Zverev

Every week Baseline will select a “Player of the Week.” That athlete may not always win the highest category tournament that week, but perform the best compared to their recent playing history.

It is no secret that Alexander Zverev is one of the most promising future Grand Slam contenders on tour. Last week in Rome, the 20-year-old proved that he is already one of the best in the world by defeating Novak Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-3, in Sunday's final.

The German became the first player born after 1988 to win an ATP Masters 1000 crown.

Ironically enough, Zverev’s victory made him the youngest since Djokovic to win a Masters title.

"It's such an honor being on the court against one of the best ever players," Zverev said. "If I have half the career Novak has had, I will be just fine."

His stunning performance against Djokovic also made Zverev the youngest player since Juan Martin del Potro in 2008 to break into the Top 10.

The new world No. 10 beat four Top-30 players and two Top 10-ranked opponents during the week: Djokovic and No. 6 Milos Raonic, last year’s Wimbledon finalist.

Nobody would have blamed Zverev if he had lost to Djokovic. The world No. 2 seemed rejuvenated after a disappointing start to the season, crushing an in-form Dominic Thiem, 6-1, 6-0, in the semifinals.

After the Thiem match, which Djokovic said was, “probably the best tennis I have played in the last ten months,” all signs pointed toward the Serbian winning his first title since Doha in January.

But Zverev never gave Djokovic a chance to find his game. While the defending French Open champion did not play his best tennis, credit goes to Zverev for being locked in from the get-go. He broke Djokovic—who was attempting to win his 31st ATP Masters 1000 tournament—right away, and never looked back.

Despite this being his fourth career title, Zverev has yet to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam. But if his performance last week is any indication, it will be shocking if Zverev does not race into the second week.