Alexander Zverev Takes On Auger-Aliassime in ATP Finals Showdown

Introduction

The occupational hazards of round-robin tennis often result in during this phase of the season-ending championships we’re often left scratching our heads, searching around for a calculator and attempting to calculate the complex permutations of qualification. But today's game between Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, mercifully, is straightforward. It's a direct elimination: the successful player secures a semifinal contest against Alcaraz at this year-end tournament; the unsuccessful competitor heads out.

Zverev is the favourite for this: the third-ranked player is the more accomplished player, has been the champion at this competition previously on two instances 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 bulk of his trophies, he is in great form after his remarkable turnaround against Shelton on midweek and he took out Zverev in the US Championships early stage in August. Plus, the playing speed is higher in the host city than at Flushing Meadows, which is even more beneficial in Auger-Aliassime's favour.

Should Zverev be cautious, as he did 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 former prodigy who was once in line ahead of the younger champions to take over from the legendary trio – who secures the questionable privilege of facing the world No 1 tomorrow.

The match starts: at about 8.30pm local time, 7:30 PM in the UK.