Alexander Zverev Faces Auger-Aliassime in ATP World Tour Finals Showdown

Overview

The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis typically lead to by this stage of the season-ending championships we’re often left confused, searching around for a computing device and striving to determine the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But tonight’s match between Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. It's a direct elimination: the successful player sets up a semi-final contest against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the unsuccessful competitor goes home.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the third-ranked player is the more experienced competitor, has been the champion at this competition previously on two instances and holds the advantage in their personal record with six victories against three defeats, winning both the games they've played on an covered hard surface.

Yet … this type of playing field on which Felix has secured the bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on midweek and he eliminated Zverev in the US Championships third round in late summer. Plus, the court pace is quicker in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's favor.

If Zverev holds back, similar to his performance against the Italian, and Auger-Aliassime takes it to the German with his stinging serves and fearless play, it could well be the 25-year-old Canadian – the earlier standout who was once in line ahead of the younger champions to replace the tennis icons – who obtains the uncertain distinction of playing against the world No 1 on Saturday.

The match starts: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time.