Alexander Zverev Battles Felix Auger-Aliassime in ATP World Tour Finals Match
Preamble
The occupational hazards of tournament pool play typically lead to during this phase of the season-ending championships viewers are commonly confused, hastily looking for a computing device and trying to work out the brain-busting potential outcomes for advancement. However this evening's contest between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is straightforward. It's a direct elimination: the winner secures a final four matchup against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the loser heads out.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has previously won at this event on two prior occasions and is ahead in their direct encounters with six victories against three defeats, winning both their previous matches on an enclosed hard court.
But … this is the surface on which Auger-Aliassime has claimed the majority of his titles, he is full of confidence after his compelling comeback against Shelton on Wednesday and he defeated the German in the US Open initial phase in August. Plus, conditions are faster in Turin than at Flushing Meadows, which provides an additional advantage in AA’s favour.
If the German player is reserved, as he did against Sinner, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his stinging serves and fearless play, there is a strong chance the 25-year-old Canadian – the former prodigy who was earlier slated in front of Alcaraz and Sinner to take over from the Big Three – who obtains the dubious honour of competing with the world No 1 the next day.
Action commences: at about 8.30pm local time, 7.30pm GMT.
