When discussing the might of Swiss tennis over recent years there are plenty of names to talk about.

Obviously Roger Federer is probably the best tennis player ever seen on the ATP tour and Martina Hingis has spent many years as number one in the women's game. 

Others to include in this list are former Olympic Champion Marc Rosset and women's top twenty player Patty Schynder an ever consistent player on WTA tour over the past 10 years.

'Wawrinka has started the year in great form reaching the final of Doha, narrowly losing out to Andy Murray in the final'


One name that may be unfamiliar with fans is that of Stanislas Wawrinka.  Still only 22, the Swiss number 2 has crept up the ATP ranking quietly, remaining out of the limelight of Roger Federer.

He is currently at number 35 in the ATP rankings, reached a career-high of 28 earlier in 2008 ands looks set to enter the world's top 20 by the end of the year. 

Maybe 2008 will Wawrinka's time to shine as a true tennis talent. He has started the year in great form reaching the final of Doha, narrowly losing out to Britsh star Andy Murray in the final. 

Having missed most of the early part of 2007, Wawrinka has very few ATP points to defend in the coming months and a good run of form on the European clay courts should allow the Swiss player to reach the top 20 sooner rather than later. 

I feel Wawrinka is a very underrated player and if he could just get a few more top scalps under his belt and have a consistent year without injury, the world is his oyster. 

In 2007, despite playing a fairly limited schedule, Wawrinka had execellent wins over Marit Safin, Tommy Robredo, Guillermo Canas and Juan Ignacio-Chela. 

But two of his biggest wins of last year came against the in-form David Nalbandian, during the Argentinian's red-hot form on the European indoor circuit, showing not only can Wawrinka win against the best, but he can do when his opponents are in form - the sign of a champion.

If Federer retires in the next couple of years, Wawrinka will get the attention he deserves and maybe can become the new Swiss star of tennis.