It's probable to say that not many people in the tennis world have heard of Pablo Cuevas, from Uruguay.

The young South American has already made great start to the 2008 season, and continues to develop into a tennis star. He may not be well known by spectators, but his tennis is scintillating. How far can the young man go?

'He has already shown that he compete with the very best'


At the beginning of 2007, Cuevas had barley made a name for himself as a professional tennis player. He started the season ranked 230 in the world, but after claiming titles in Lima, Scheveningen, and Tunica, he improved almost 120 spots to finish the year at 113.

Heading into the new season this year, many wouldn’t expect much to come from this man.

But in his first event of the year, and one of his first ATP main draw appearances he plowed his way through a field of competitors all ranked higher than him. In a tight three-set encounter, he took down Guillermo Coria, and then fairly convincingly defeated Fernando Verdasco, 7:5 6:3.

He compiled a semifinal run, and clashed with Fernando Gonzalez. Because in the previous season, Gonzalez contested in the Australian Open final, not many would expect to see him struggle against his lower-ranked oppenent. Despite losing 7:6 6:7 2:6, he showed the world what exactly he was capable of.

Since playing in Viña Del Mar he has risen almost 20 places to rank inside the top 100. Although he isn’t ranked as high, as other up-and-coming players, he is making consistent progress. He has also represented Uruguay in Davis Cup victories aganst Jamaica and Paraguay.

He may not pose a threat yet to the higher-ranked players, but he has already shown that he compete with the very best if he is playing his best game.

Cuevas is only 22, and in the future he might be a big threat to the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Their reign as being world number one and two, respectively, will one day come to an end.

The Uruguayan is an unlikely candidate for the top spot, but his star is rising.