SYDNEY: Teenager Bernard Tomic, the “next big thing” in Australian tennis, has finally arrived after his stylish victory over Robin Soderling at Wimbledon, Australia's press said Monday. Tomic, 18, became the youngest men's player to advance to the Wimbledon fourth round for 21 years Saturday after downing two-time French Open finalist Soderling 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 with a showing that belied his teenage years. He went one step further Monday by storming into the quarterfinals by bundling out Belgium's Xavier Malisse 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has hailed Tomic as a star in the making, while six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer rates Tomic as one of the brightest young prospects in men's tennis. “Tomic, for so long the next big thing, has finally arrived,” The Sydney Morning Herald said. “And just in the nick of time, with Australian men's tennis in the doldrums and Lleyton Hewitt, the lone flag-bearer for years, nearing his expiry date.” Tomic will supplant former world No. 1 and two-time major winner Hewitt as Australia's top-ranked player when the next rankings come out after Wimbledon. The Herald said Tomic's straight sets demolition of world No. 5 Soderling was no fluke. “He dismantled the injured Swede mechanically and with the smarts of a player who had been on a grand stage many times before,” it said. “Its significance for tennis in Australia should not be understated. Tomic was already highly thought of in global tennis circles as a potential star.” Becker, the youngest-ever winner of the Wimbledon men's singles title at 17, said he was “very impressed” with Tomic's performance. “First time I have seen him play live. I tell you, a star in the making. I really liked the way he played, his composure. I expect a lot more from him,” Becker told AAP.
