Alexander Zverev Battles Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Clash

Overview

The typical complications of tournament pool play typically lead to by this stage of the season-ending championships we’re often left puzzled, searching around for a computing device and trying to work out the complex potential outcomes for advancement. However today's game between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is easy. It’s a straight shootout: the victor earns a semi-final contest against Alcaraz at this season-ending event; the defeated player goes home.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the elite athlete is the more experienced competitor, has claimed the title at this competition twice before and is ahead in their direct encounters with six victories against three defeats, securing victories in both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.

However … this particular court on which Felix has secured the majority of his titles, he is in great form after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on midweek and he defeated Zverev in the US Championships initial phase in August. Furthermore, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in AA’s favor.

Should Zverev be cautious, as he did against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his stinging serves and bold strategy, it might very well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the former prodigy who was earlier slated before Alcaraz and Sinner to succeed the Big Three – who secures the uncertain distinction of playing against the world No 1 the next day.

Action commences: at about 8.30pm local time, 7:30 PM in the UK.