One's To Watch - Pick of the best youngsters on the 2011 ATP/WTA Circuits

At the age of 20, legend Boris Becker clinched his first Grand Slam. A 19-year-old Rafael Nadal claimed his whilst, younger still, Martina Hingis stepped up to the plate at just 16.

Thanks to high-profile success in tennis, 23-year-old Andy Murray has fast-became a household name whilst, if potential is anything to go by, compatriot Laura Robson, 17, won’t be far behind. With an increasing talent-base, a new generation of tennis players are slowly nudging the ‘golden oldies’ into retirement. There is an increasing amount of ‘shock’ results in tennis these days - not because of form, but quality.

However, with the huge step-up from the junior to senior ATP stage, it is often hard for a teen to break through. Few stars have shone – just look at fellow World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki – yet far too many have stumbled in the midst of breaking through to phenomenal heights.

Though shrouded, there is far more to junior tennis than meets the eye; the potential is scarily-huge, with world-beaters just moments from being released to the world. Already, on top of a bustling WTA ranking sits a 20-year-old Wozniacki – but can others emulate her success?

As the 2011 season begins, Nerve* Sport has served up a small dish of up-and-coming stars to look out for on the ATP/WTA circuit.

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL): Not many 19-year-olds can boast six Challenger trophies in a single year, besides Dimitrov. Though showing patchy form during Grand Slam qualifiers, the Bulgarian’s talent has been likened to that of Nadal – a man who Dimitrov forced into three sets during the ATP Masters in Rotterdam in 2009. Brimming with confidence and a lethal backhand, he is surely only moments from hitting it big.

Ryan Harrison (USA): Typically-teenage temper tantrums aside, Harrison’s performances last year at the US Open raised eyebrows, impressively taking Sergiy Stakhovsky to the brink of destruction after dumping Ivan Ljubicic out in the first round of the tournament. Not yet a world-beater, but given time, surely one for the future – and with Roddick-esque serving and Blake-esque hard-hitting baseline play, a sure-fire winner for those Yanks.

Bernard Tomic (AUS): Bags of talent, yet an arrogant streak means Tomic has faultered in the media already - turning down a knock-up with Aussie ace Lleyton Hewitt was probably not the best career move. However, the 18-year-old’s agility, perseverance and 6’4” frame echoes culls of a younger Juan Martin del Potro.

Ricardas Berankis (LIT): At 20, the former World Junior No.1 and Orange Bowl winner is already knocking at the door of the world’s best – and already boasts the ability of most. The Lithuanian hotshot has already had Grand Slam experience at Wimbledon prior to this year’s Australian Open, and has caused problems for Fernando Verdasco and Jurgen Meltzer in high-profile match-ups. Boasting a ferocious serve, good footwork, and a ground-game of champions, Berankis is within reaching distance of a major trophy – and if he shows good enough form, may well cause many an upset on the way.

Simona Halep (ROM): After winning the Junior Roland Garros title in 2008, Halep’s success has been limited after a string of unfortunate match-ups in majors – losing to Sam Stosur after experiencing the same fate at the hands of Jelena Jankovic. The 19-year-old’s adaptability on court, agililty, and fierce backhand could spell fame for Halep, though still lacking that killer instinct.

Lauren Davis (USA): Triumph at the end of 2010 has put the 17-year-old on the map, winning the Orange Bowl and several Challenger tournament during a 27-match win streak - yet proved easy pickings for Sam Stosur in the first round of this year’s Australian Open. A lethal forehand, the baseliner has shown real potential, and could be one to watch in the coming years.

Tennis fan or not, it takes little knowledge to realise that - for the foreseeable future at least - the final of any of the sport’s four Grand Slam trophies will end up in the clutches of one of three men’s hands – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or, patriotically, Andy Murray. Yet the rise in prodigious talent is soon to explode – and rightly so.