Zverev Battles Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Showdown
Introduction
The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis often result in during this phase of the ATP World Tour Finals we’re often left confused, scrambling about for a mathematical tool and trying to work out the mind-boggling permutations of qualification. But tonight’s match between Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime, thankfully, is easy. This is a winner-takes-all affair: the winner sets up a final four battle against Alcaraz at this championship finale; the unsuccessful competitor goes home.
Zverev is the predicted winner for this: the world No 3 is the more accomplished player, has claimed the title at this tournament twice before and leads their head-to-head with six victories against three defeats, securing victories in both their previous matches on an covered hard surface.
But … this is the surface on which Felix has secured most of his championships, he is full of confidence after his impressive recovery against Ben Shelton on Wednesday and he took out Zverev in the US Championships initial phase in August. Furthermore, conditions are faster in the host city than at the US Open venue, which works even more in Auger-Aliassime's benefit.
If Zverev holds back, as he did against the Italian, and the Canadian presses the German with his effective service game and confident shots, it might very well be the young Canadian – the one-time phenom who was previously positioned in front of Alcaraz and Sinner to replace the legendary trio – who secures the questionable privilege of facing the top-ranked player the next day.
Play begins: at approximately 8:30 PM in Turin, 7:30 PM in the UK.
